Your Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
Your Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

EOM User’s Guide

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We’re also getting a lot of questions on how to use the Economic Opportunity Maps (EOM), so we put together a User’s Guide: (https://communities.tamu.edu/files/2021/01/EOM-Users-Guide.pdf).

An Economic Opportunity Map (EOM) is a unique way for individuals to interactively explore business opportunities in their county across various industries.

This document guides readers through the mapping tool itself as well as elements of each EOM. We will begin by considering the different types of industries represented across these EOMs followed by a more detailed look at the EOM interactive mapping dashboard. Finally, we will point out some additional tools to assist users in interpretations and guiding discussion.

The Economic Opportunity Maps for counties all over the continental U.S. can be found here: https://communities.tamu.edu/economic-opportunity-maps/.

Economic Opportunity Maps FAQ

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The Economic Opportunity Maps for counties all over the continental U.S. can be found here: https://communities.tamu.edu/economic-opportunity-maps/

We’re getting a lot of questions on their use and how to interpret them, so we put together a Frequently Asked Questions document (FAQ, https://communities.tamu.edu/files/2021/01/FAQ.pdf). Check it out and as always feel free to email me with any questions, ccarpenter@tamu.edu!

 

Economic Opportunity Maps Update!

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Our team’s Economic Opportunity Maps project has been updated! The maps have been cleared up and some details on the methods have been added.

See the embedded and interactive maps here: https://communities.tamu.edu/economic-opportunity-maps/

The project was supported by the Agricultural and Food Research Initiative Competitive Program of the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), award number 2017-67023-26242.

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

What Is Business Retention and Expansion and Is it Right for Your Community

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Interested in learning some about Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E)? Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service has a new publication out on BR&E. The publication discusses what BR&E is generally and then focuses on two types of BR&E: the classic business visitation program, and the industrial cluster retention and expansion program. It also discusses why it would probably be good for your community! Check it out at the link below:

http://agrilifelearn.tamu.edu/Business-Retention-and-Expansion-p/eag-046.htm

Moving Forward from Data to Goals

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Using data to guide local economic development efforts is essential to remaining competitive in a quickly evolving economy. Examining data can help leaders identify changes, new opportunities, and emerging issues and make decisions that reflect the entire community rather than merely the perception of a vocal or influential group. As we continue to get more and more sources and detailed data, often questions may turn to how to convert data into actionable goals. Check out this new article by Drs. Craig Carpenter and Rebekka Dudensing to learn about various conversion strategies and the importance of how the goals are written themselves.

http://agrilifelearn.tamu.edu/Translating-Data-Survey-Results-into-SMART-Goals-p/eag-047.htm

Getting the Community Involved in Local Development Efforts

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Getting the community involved in local and regional development efforts is fundamental to the successful creation and implementation of development plans. Community involvement not only improves community and economic development outcomes by utilizing local knowledge and networks, but can also grow community cohesion and vitality, as members feel more invested in the place that they live. Residents are more likely to embrace development proposals when invited to contribute their opinions and shape efforts to reflect their challenges and needs. Furthermore, shaping the efforts to reflect the challenges and needs of community members can only improve those efforts. Similarly, community members are more likely to be invested, and, in turn, more willing to invest the time to implement the proposals.

 

Read more in a new publication out by Dr. Rebekka Dudensing and me: http://agrilifelearn.tamu.edu/Getting-Community-Involved-in-Local-Development-p/eag-045.htm

Implementing Community Goals Successfully

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Communities often create outstanding economic and business development strategies only to lose momentum after the planning stage. In fact, many good plans end up sitting on a shelf because they are never implemented. How can your community avoid this problem? Read more in a new publication out by Dr. Rebekka Dudensing and me: http://agrilifelearn.tamu.edu/Implementing-Community-Goals-Successfully-p/eag-044.htm

Kauffman Foundation Report on Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Importance

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The Kauffman Foundation is a great organization for those of us that are interested in supporting entrepreneurship. The foundation is involved in many aspects of supporting entrepreneurship including academic research and outreach efforts.

The foundation recently released a report on the important role of entrepreneur development organizations and their activities. The report focuses on the experiences of Kansas City and St. Louis, but generalizes the finding such that they are applicable to areas around the United States.  The report, and the increasing prominence of the Kauffman Foundation, highlight how entrepreneurial ecosystems are becoming recognized as an important way to stimulate innovation and economic growth. The report also outlines how entrepreneurship feeds into new venture development, and, in turn, economic development.

See more at: http://www.kauffman.org/what-we-do/research/2017/entrepreneurial-ecosystem-momentum-and-maturity