Those who follow economic trends frequently look at entrepreneurial activity as an indicator of economic health. While opinions vary on the current health of entrepreneurship in the U.S. and around the world, there is agreement on the importance of this business sector. Economists applaud the job...

Canton recently participated in a North Central Regional Center for Rural Development study exploring factors related to a community's success in creating a resilient and vibrant downtown. The Resilient Downtowns Case Study Series was designed to highlight best practices regarding small-town...

Data for Decision Makers Resource Guide by Zach Kennedy, Extension Specialist Community and Economic Development Data, when used properly, can improve the effectiveness of your organization or local government. The ability to tell a "data story" is important to understanding the context in which...

STARTUP Jefferson County provides entrepreneurs and small business owners the tools to succeed November 13, 2017 By Elaine Craver JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ill. - We're all familiar with the phrase, "Necessity is the...

Can arts drive rural economic development? This is a question that I continue to ask myself as I expand Developing the Creative Economy (DCE) that will be presented next in Greenville, IL on February 2, 2017. As some of you are aware, the DCE program is based in part on the work...

Are you interested in learning the how-tos & possibilities of developing a creative economy in your community? On March 5th, Pam Schallhorn, University of Illinois Extension, Community & Economic Development Educator was interviewed in a podcast on Creekside with Don &...

Recently Norman Walzer and Jessica Sandoval from the Center for Government Studies at Northern Illinois University in consultation with David Ivan from Michigan State University and Greg Wise from the University of Wisconsin-Extension published a paper on the Emergence and Growth of Community...

One of the pressing issues for rural communities today is the loss of young residents. Many rural communities are currently working on ways to attract and retain youth in rural areas. One of the main strategies thought to attract & retain youth is "actively engaging and consulting youth in...

In my June 7, 2017 blog ILLINOIS - A LION In The INTERNATIONAL MARKETPLACE, I addressed the basics of how to get started in world markets. I now begin taking a deeper look at deta

Global business traditionally evolved from successful domestic ventures. Today, global strategies just might be the start of a business. Either way, risk management is a core issue. Since traders encountered one another on border paths, establishing trust and minimizing risk have...

This is another article from Susan Odum's BUY LOCAL series.  Susan is a Community & Economic Development Educator with U of I Extension "There are a lot of words one might use to describe Julie Kuppart, including energetic, adaptable, and passionate, but after spending an...

This article was written and contributed by Zachary Kennedy, Community & Economic Development Specialist, U of I Extension Many people think of "rural" as farmland, low population density, and open idyllic landscapes. To be certain, there are many ways to define rural, and...

A business plan states expectations, defines risks and explains how resources will be most effectively utilized.[i] My definition of a Business Plan...

I recently reviewed the 2016 Forbes' rankings of "Best Countries For Business" and pondered America's slide from the top spot in 2006 to number 24. The respected ...