One in ten Americans are actively involved in entrepreneurship (either owning their own business or actively pursuing starting one) and between 600,000 and 800,000 new businesses are started each year. 

There is no question that these small businesses are an important part of the national economy and they deserve the attention of economic development professionals.  Last week, economic development professionals in the Northeast were fortunate to have the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) professional development training program return to New York State with a curriculum dedicated to this topic. In partnership with the Northeastern Economic Developers Association (NEDA) and Camoin Associates, IEDC hosted their Entrepreneurial and Small Business Development Strategies course in Albany, NY. The training program focused on issues related to how economic development professionals can support small businesses and entrepreneurs.

The training program included a session on a technique called economic gardening, which is defined as supporting and cultivating economic growth among existing companies to encourage local job and wealth creation.  Rather than economic development professionals investing their time and resources into that one “big get” of a new 500 person manufacturer, economic gardening focuses on assisting entrepreneurs and small businesses to succeed and expand within the community.  Economic development organizations can provide information, market analysis, infrastructure, connections and much more to help the businesses in areas where they do not have internal capacity, time or skill. Examples of successful economic gardening can be seen in Littleton, Colorado and Beaverton, Oregon. These communities provide services such as financing, assistance with city procedures, GIS database research, connections to other resources and access to demographic databases. Most of the economic gardening work is occurring in the western United States at this time, but it is becoming a more relevant economic development tool throughout the country.   

Last week’s training program attracted people from all over the United States, including individuals from California, Montana, North Carolina, Washington, Georgia and Iowa. It was great to have the opportunity to talk to others and see the similarities and differences in the issues that many of us are facing throughout the country.  The program was well received by all I spoke with and I know I left feeling inspired and ready to take the new skills back to the municipalities I work with. 

Camoin Associates, NEDA and IEDC will be hosting a second training on May 17^th and 18^th that will focus on Economic Development Strategic Planning.  If you are interested in learning more or registering, click here:   http://www.iedconline.org/?p=Training_Planning_NY