Rural Entrepreneurship and Innovative Leadership
March 28, 2006 Economic Development Today Telecast
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As part of the Economic Development Administration’s continuing commitment to growing rural economies, this telecast focuses on “Rural Entrepreneurship and Innovative Leadership.” Rural America is home to nearly a quarter of the nation’s people and research findings reveal that rural America performs differently than the rest of the U.S. economy due to the changing technological and global challenges.
Rural development initiatives are critical components for America’s global stability and competitiveness in the world wide economy helping to fuel regions throughout America. While traditional economic development strategies have struggled to yield outcomes in rural communities in an era of increased global competition, there has been an increased emphasis on rural entrepreneurship and innovation.
The panelists addressed the following:
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Research findings on building support systems for rural entrepreneurs
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Success stories of how rural communities have developed from within
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Examples of entrepreneurs that have benefited from their unique local assets
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Lessons learned for rural communities to strengthen their workforce and tap into a world wide economy
The telecast featured the Kellogg Foundation which has been at the forefront of developing a framework for economic development practitioners who are trying to implement the best ideas about entrepreneurship in their rural places. The foundation panelist provided examples of innovative leaders. Two rural businesses provided their experience and progress as sustainable innovative leaders in their regions.
Moderator
Matthew E. Crow, Director of Communications, Economic
Development Administration
Panelists
Dr. Richard Foster, Vice President for Programs, Food
Systems, Rural Development and Leadership, W.K.
Kellogg Foundation
Linda Baird, Owner, Little Kentucy Smokehouse, Uniontown, KY
James W. (Bill) Glasscock, Owner/Manager, Laurel Creek
Hardwood Inc., Richwood, W. Virginia
Email Peggy Tadej, Director of Research and Grants or call 202.986.1032 Ext: 224