Entrepreneurial & Small Business Development Strategies

September 10-11 | Minneapolis, MN

AICP Certification Maintenance points: CM | 16

This multi-faceted course explores the core aspects of entrepreneurial and small business development including value-add partnerships, technical assistance programs, financing, business incubation and more. Entrepreneurs and small businesses stimulate job creation, develop crucial innovations in both products and services and promote the diversification of the economic base. In this course, you will learn the financial and managerial tools economic developers use to create a climate that encourages entrepreneurial and small business development. Also, practitioners will examine the barriers they face and how communities can leverage their economic development resources to build highly integrated networks to help businesses thrive in the global economy.

Course Highlights:

• Identifying and addressing the needs of entrepreneurs 
• Defining urban v. rural-focused entrepreneurial and small business strategies 
• Managing technical assistance (e.g., economic gardening) programs 
• Development and management of business incubators 
• Understanding federal and state government resources (e.g., SBDCs) 
• Financing programs including micro-lending, venture capital, and angel networks 
• Creating a technical assistance tracking system to measure job growth and etc.

Instructors:

Maureen Collins-Williams 
Partner 
Entrepreneurial Communities Project

A native of the Midwest, Collins-Williams was recruited to the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) in 1997 to serve as the Small Business Development Center Director and later became the Director of the UNI Regional Business Center. In 2001, she launched an award winning service-technology incubator as part of an adaptive-reuse downtown revitalization project, followed by a second, campus-based incubator supporting technology transfer and commercialization. Collins-Williams received the 2010 Technology Association of Iowa Women of Innovation Award and was twice awarded Iowa's ASBDC State Star awards.

Erik R. Pages, PhD 
President 
EntreWorks Consulting

Erik R. Pages is President and Founder of EntreWorks Consulting (www.entreworks.net), an economic development consulting and policy development firm focused on helping communities and organizations achieve their entrepreneurial potential. EntreWorks works with a diverse base of clients including state and local governments, Chambers of Commerce, business leaders, educational institutions, and non-profits. These customers all share a commitment to innovative economic development strategies that build wealth and build communities. Since its founding, EntreWorks has worked with customers in forty states and overseas.

Accommodations/Training Location:

Minneapolis Marriott City Center 
30 South 7th Street 
Minneapolis, MN 55402​ 
Phone: 1 (800) 228-9290

IEDC Room Rate: $144 
Cut-off date: August 19, 2015

Canadian Economic Developers!

A Canadian-focused version of the Entrepreneurial and Small Business Development Strategies training will be offered in Toronto, ON in partnership with the Economic Development Council of Ontario, Inc. (EDCO).

November 5 - 6, 2015 │ Toronto, ON

AICP Certification Maintenance points: CM | 16

While anyone is welcome to take this course, financing sessions will focus on tools and programs relevant to the Canadian economic developer.