Your Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
Your Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

CDI Texas 2020

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I will be presenting at Community Development Institute Texas 2020 again! Quoting from their website,

Improving Communities and Increasing Opportunities

Never before has the practice of community development been more important than it is today. As the world grows smaller through the increased use of global communications, communities of all sizes are finding their boundaries are expanding beyond their city limits. CDI Texas provides practical, interactive, and comprehensive training designed to meet the needs of economic and community development professionals working in a fast paced environment. CDI Texas builds the capacity of individuals and communities to effectively and positively impact economic and social development.

Who Should Attend?

Participants include community and economic development practitioners, city, county and state officials and community volunteers, non-profit staff and board members, chamber staff, private industry, municipal districts, and academics will find the Institute a valuable learning tool for the development of individual and community leadership skills. Attendees will expand their ability to identify community assets, set goals, encourage collaboration, and respond to a broad range of economic and quality of life issues.

Read more here: http://www.lonestar.edu/cdi.htm

New Research on the Positive Effects of Latino-owned Businesses!

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The expansion of ethnic minorities evokes policy debate about their impact on the local economy, driving a need to measure their effects. We employ the confidential US Census data to investigate drivers of local economic performance with emphasis on the role of Latino-owned businesses (LOB) on convergence. The model also includes a number of controls. The model produces direct, indirect, and total impact estimates, and expected values for the non-LOB controls. The estimated total impact of LOB employment on county-level average annual growth rates is significant and positive, but a rurality interaction carries the opposite sign, such that the total impact in rural areas is negative.

Read the full article here: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00168-019-00942-x

How Important Are Local Banks in Your Region? Read our new research here!

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Access to financial capital is vital for the sustainability of the local business sector in metropolitan and nonmetropolitan communities. Recent research on the restructuring of the financial industry from local owned banks to interstate conglomerates has raised questions about the impact on rural economies. In this paper, we begin our exploration of the Market Concentration Hypothesis and the Local Bank Hypothesis. The former proposes that there is a negative relationship between the percent of banks that are locally owned in the local economy and the rate of business births and continuations, and a positive effect on business deaths, while that latter proposes that there is a positive relationship between the percent of banks that are locally owned in the local economy and the rate of business births and continuations, and a negative effect on business deaths. To examine these hypotheses, we examine the impact of bank ownership concentration (percent of banks that are locally owned in a commuting zone) on business establishment births and deaths in metropolitan, micropolitan and non-core rural commuting zones. We employ panel regression models for the 1980-2010 time frame, demonstrating robustness to several specifications and spatial spillover effects. We find that local bank concentration is positively related to business dynamism in rural commuting zones, providing support to the importance of relational lending in rural areas, while finding support for the importance of market concentration in urban areas. The implications of this research are important for rural sociology, regional economics, and finance.

Read more here: https://ideas.repec.org/p/cen/wpaper/18-34.html

What Factors Cause Latino-owned Business to Survive? New research out

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This article uses 127,000 observations from three confidential Census microdata sets at theindividual firm and establishment level to investigate Latino-owned business survival. The merged microdataallows us to control for a wide array of personal, business, and regional characteristics. The analysis is basedon hazard model. Relative to base categories, we find the following decrease in the odds of survival: Latina-owned, Puerto Rican owned, and selling to the federal government. Owner education and low barrier sectorshave no effect, while start-up from personal savings increase the odds by 4 percent. The findings informways to expand regional economies through businesses operated by Latinos.

Read more here: https://rrs.scholasticahq.com/article/7933-factors-associated-with-latino-owned-business-survival-in-the-united-states

Is Local Oil Drilling Leading to More Local High School Dropouts? Read more with our new research!

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Researchers and citizens alike question the long-term impacts of the shale oil boom on local communities. Studies have considered the boom’s effects on employment, income, mobility, and human capital acquisition. This research specifically builds on research considering shale effects on secondary schooling. Using county-level data from Texas, we investigate two questions: (1) Has the latest oil boom led to a reduction in local high school graduation? (2) Is this effect different for immigrants, a group potentially vulnerable to local wage effects? Findings indicate insignificant overall effects; however, local oil drilling increases immigrant high school dropout rates.

Read more here: https://doi.org/10.1017/aae.2018.34

New Research on Latino-owned Business Growth

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Here is some new research authored by me. The article uses over 100,000 observations from limited-access and nationally representative US Census Bureau microdata sets to test determinants of employment growth among Latino-owned businesses (LOBs) in the Unites States. We draw variables from prior studies on determinants business growth in the general population and uniquely apply them to LOB using the robust data. Specifically, we examine the impact of numerous business owner, business, and regional characteristics on employment growth. We include industry and state-level fixed effects and test the robustness of results to various employment growth timespans. Some findings include (1) Latina-owned businesses grow faster than LOB, (2) formal education has a positive effect on employment growth and this effect is larger with education level and time, (3) Puerto Rican-owned businesses grow 2 percent slower than Mexican-owned establishments, (4) having multiple establishments reduces employment growth, (5) relying on personal savings for start-up capital impedes growth, and (6) nonmetro adjacency has a significant and negative effect, while population density does not. Our findings show that LOB may grow differently than other businesses and help advance the understanding of factors related to success of LOB. Implementing straightforward and low-cost policies aimed at better support for LOB could help bolster regional growth.

 

Read more at: https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0160017619826278

New Opportunity for a Postdoctoral Research Associate

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Link to Application: https://wit.twc.state.tx.us/WORKINTEXAS/wtx?u=1549666497939&pageid=EM_JP_JOB_DETAILS&id=5404791

 Applicants are instructed to email items stipulated in the posting to roxanne.moody@tamu.edu

Detailed Position Summary:

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Texas Federal Statistical Research Data (FSRDC) seek a forthcoming or recent PhD as a Postdoctoral Research and Extension Associate to explore the business dynamics of rural businesses in the United States, with particular attention to entrepreneurial activities conducted by military veterans (“vetrepreneurs”). The associate will collaborate with a research team comprised of senior researchers and Extension professionals from Texas A&M AgriLife, Texas A&M University, and Baylor University on a research project conducted with the Federal Statistical Research Data Centers.

In the FSRDC, the associate will work with the Longitudinal Business Database (over 8M observations annually), the Integrated Longitudinal Business Database (over 20M observations annually), the Survey of Business Owners (about 1M observations quinquennially), the Annual Survey of Entrepreneurs (about 0.2M annually), and the American Community Survey (about 5M observations annually), among other datasets. These databases will allow for tracking of business and business owner demographic microdata over time. They will also be merged with public data on other community characteristics. Following initial data management activities, the associate will execute the following activities:

  • Model specification analysis and discussion in the FSRDC
  • Prepare and collaborate on numerous refereed journal articles including, but not limited to, the following broad topics:
    • Perceptions of U.S. vetrepreneurs
    • Determinants of vetrepreneur business survival
    • Determinants of veterpreneur business growth
    • Rural policy implications for supporting veteran-owned businesses
    • Impacts of vetrepreneurs on local economic growth
    • Nationwide lessons-learned for Extension veteran-owned business curriculums
  • Actively engage with the research team to develop Extension curriculum, programming, and training
  • Contributions to proposal development workshops and Texas RDC research presentations
  • Participate in development and completion of additional FSRDC projects
  • May participate in proposals to obtain external funding

 

The position will be appointed for twelve months, and pending performance review, extended up to 24 months. Through the experience with the research team and the FSRDC, the associate will complement the strong disciplinary training of their PhD program with exposure to a broad range of sciences and learning-by-doing in rural development Extension curriculum design and pilot testing.

The position will be located in College Station, Texas, though the Extension programming will be nationwide, allowing the successful candidate to build a national profile.

At the end of their post-doctoral experiences, the research and extension associate will enjoy a network of senior academic and policy colleagues from which they may launch a successful career as a faculty member or policy analyst.

The research associate will be compensated commensurate with recent PhDs in their field of study and will have access to health care benefits.

 

Location of Activities:

The successful candidate will be expected to relocate to Texas and will be provided with offices on the Texas A&M University (TAMU) campus and in the Texas FSRDC in College Station, in close proximity to mentors within the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and FSRDC. TAMU is distinctive as a student-focused, land-grant, research university, that provides an excellent education at a top-ranked institution by combining teaching, research, and Extension in a rich learning environment. TAMU is listed in the National Science Foundation’s top 20 in several areas.

The position will involve travel to the TAMU FSRDC, located on campus in College Station, and to conferences related to the topics addressed by the associate. Travel in and out of state is necessary to fulfill job responsibilities.

This position is supported by the Agricultural and Food Research Initiative Competitive Program of the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), Award number 2018-68006-27641.

 

Minimum Requirements:

  • ABD in Agricultural Economics, Economics, or related field, completed by the date of the first day of employment.
  • Demonstrated interest in topics addressed in project description.
  • Strong English written and verbal communications skills.
  • The associate will need to pass a background check and have spent three of the previous five years in the United States, as required to gain access to a Federal Statistical Research Data Center (FSRDC).
  • Working knowledge of Stata, SAS, or related statistical software available in the FSRDC environment.

 

Desired Qualifications:

  • PhD in Agricultural Economics, Economics, or related field, completed by the date of the first day of employment.
  • Academic record of publications related to the issues to be address in project description.
  • Demonstrated skills in quantitative analysis.
  • Demonstrated ability to synthesize academic inputs from a wide array of sources.
  • Understanding of the land grant university system.
  • Experience working in the FSRDC system or with other systems involving large datasets.

VGYI School for County Commissioners Courts

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More information on the following can be found at https://vgyi.tamu.edu/v-g-young-school-for-county-commissioners-court/.

I will be presenting on your entrepreneurial ecosystem and hope to see you there!

V.G. Young School for County Commissioners Court
61st Annual V.G. Young School for County Commissioners Courts

February 19-21, 2019
Hilton ▪ College Station, TX

Conference registration: https://agriliferegister.tamu.edu/VGYI

See the draft agenda here: https://vgyi.tamu.edu/files/2018/12/2019-JC-Working-Agenda-1-7-19.pdf

Community Development Institute (CDI) Texas 2019!

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The following information is copied from http://www.lonestar.edu/cdi.htm. If you are interested in supporting your community and local businesses, I encourage you to attend this great program!

 

Improving Communities and Increasing Opportunities

Never before has the practice of community development been more important than it is today. As the world grows smaller through the increased use of global communications, communities of all sizes are finding their boundaries are expanding beyond their city limits. CDI Texas provides practical, interactive, and comprehensive training designed to meet the needs of economic and community development professionals working in a fast paced environment. CDI Texas builds the capacity of individuals and communities to effectively and positively impact economic and social development.

Who Should Attend?

Participants include community and economic development practitioners, city, county and state officials and community volunteers, non-profit staff and board members, chamber staff, private industry, municipal districts, and academics will find the Institute a valuable learning tool for the development of individual and community leadership skills. Attendees will expand their ability to identify community assets, set goals, encourage collaboration, and respond to a broad range of economic and quality of life issues.

Curriculum

The complete program consists of three, one-week training sessions.  In addition to learning from successful practitioners, CDI also offers valuable networking and peer-to-peer learning opportunities.  Each CDI site offers the core curriculum courses listed below in addition to other course offerings based on site needs and demographics.

Year 1 
Focus is on the foundations of community development and includes group simulations providing participants with a better understanding of the challenges and benefits of a community development approach.
•  Asset-Based Community Development
•  Community Development Assessments
•  Community and Economic Development Practice
•  Community Visioning and Strategic Planning
•  Team Building

Year 2
Emphasis is placed on the “nuts and bolts” of implementing economic development strategies, including business attraction, expansion and retention, and entrepreneurship. Overview of commercial and industrial development projects and group simulations are learning tools for this course.
•  Building Entrepreneurial Communities
•  Business Retention and Expansion
•  Business Site Selection Process
•  Community and Economic Development Finance
•  Understanding Community Economies

Year 3
Focus is on implementing the knowledge gained in previous years plus acquiring skills in leadership, marketing and organizing the community development effort.
•   Understanding Local Development Organizations
•   Marketing Your Community
•   Measuring Progress
•   Workforce Planning and Development Finance

CDI Advanced

The Advanced Year focuses on the application of community and economic development principles in a real-world setting. This two-day training is designed for individuals who have completed all three years of CDI as well as for non-CDI alumni working in the field who want to stay current with trends and best practices. Completion of Advanced CDI is recognized by the CDC for education requirements, training, work experience and eligibility criteria for re-certification.

PCED Certification

Enhance your career by becoming a Professional Community and Economic Developer (PCED). CDI helps prepare you for this nationally-recognized certification offered through the Community Development Council (CDC). Application and eligibility information are available at cdcouncil.com. Pre-registration for the exam is required 45 days in advance. The PCED is optional and not required for CDI attendance.

Registration and Attendance

The cost to attend CDI Texas is $600. The Advanced course is $350 for CDI alumni and $400 for non-CDI participants. Registration fee covers training, participant materials, and breakfast, lunch and refreshment breaks daily. Accommodations and other food costs are the responsibility of the participant. All sessions will be held at the Lone Star Community Building located at 5000 Research Forest Drive, The Woodlands, TX 77381.

Attendance at all sessions is required to earn full credit. If a participant misses more than 10 percent of the course sessions, credit for course completion will not be given. Completion of CDI earns one PCED certification or re-certification point.

Results of Virtual Focus Groups on Small Businesses and Rural Communities

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The NCRCRD hosted virtual focus groups of professionals working with rural businesses (home based, retail, and manufacturing). The virtual interactions included polls and open-ended questions with participants from around the nation. Open-ended responses were analyzed with qualitative software using the community capitals as an organizing framework. Responses indicate substantial differences in business needs and challenges across sectors. The project was supported by the Agricultural and Food Research Initiative Competitive Program of the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Award number 2017-67023-26242.

March 5, 2019 – 1:00 PM (ET)
http://ncrcrd.adobeconnect.com/ncrcrd1

See the below PDF for details!

Rural Enterprise Webinar 3-5-19