From Theory to Action: Energizing Entrepreneurship (E2), Strategies to Aid Distressed Communities Grow Their Own

Abstract

The Heartland Center for Leadership Development and the Center for Rural Entrepreneurship propose a new approach to helping distressed communities build on their assets to grow their own jobs and businesses. Using lessons gleaned from case studies in rural areas, data collected on the nature of entrepreneurial activity, strategies emerging from the study of entrepreneurial communities, and research on community capacity building, the partners developed a flexible approach for encouraging entrepreneurial activity. The approach helps communities build on business and community assets through focused strategic interventions at the community, business, and organizational levels. This paper reports on preliminary results of how elements of our approach are at work in several communities where leaders engage community members in working toward a prosperous future.