|
Entrepreneur Ready Community certification program
Plainview, TX is the first community in Texas to receive certification as an Entrepreneur Ready Community. Here is a link to the newspaper article in the Plainview Daily Herald. For more info read here
Two certification programs are available to individuals and communities as a means of supporting local entrepreneurs as an economic development strategy:
Entrepreneur Ready Community certification
A program for communities desiring to become actively involved in providing education, technical assistance and other resources to entrepreneurs that are starting or growing businesses. This program is unique from others across the U.S. in that it makes use of assessments, curriculum and other products designed to create a sustainable results oriented program in communities. Once certified, Entrepreneur Ready Communities will be publicized as locations with a focus on entrepreneurs and their businesses. Certification will occur once all activities are completed and documented as described by program guidelines.
The Entrepreneur Ready Community program incorporates ideas from Entrepreneurial Communities programs found in other states and recommendations from resource providers across the economic development landscape. Thus far no funding is available to reward individuals or communities for certification but that is a next logical step. Your comments and questions about these programs are welcome. More information about the program is included in the Entrepreneur Ready Community brochure.
Another important ingredient to help you on your path towards creating an Entrepreneur Ready Community is the Success Coaching provided throughout your work. Additional assistance is available as you work with individual entrepreneurs start and grow businesses bringing jobs and wealth to your community.
Download the Entrepreneur Ready Community certification criteria
Once you have registered for the program, the following resources for completion on the road to certification will be furnished:
Sample agenda and description for a Kickoff program
Sample form for use in recruiting program leaders
Assessment: How entrepreneur ready is your community?
Assessment: Are your entrepreneurs getting what they need?
Tool: Business profile form for working with entrepreneurs
Tool: Sample action planning form
You will also receive access to our Developing Entrepreneur Ready Communities curriculum.
Entrepreneur Guide Certification Workshop
The Guide workshop is an education program for individuals desiring to provide education and technical assistance directly to entrepreneurs that are starting or growing businesses. Entrepreneur Guides will be publicized as primary contacts for assistance or further referral to other specialists once certified. Certification will occur once individuals complete all documentation described by the program guidelines.
Entrepreneur Guide certification criteria
Related Resources
David Luberoff, "What Makes a City Entrepreneurial?", www.xconomy.com/boston/2010/02/25/what-makes-a-city-entrepreneurial.
|