Page 60 - FDI Alliance International Magazine Summer 2020 Digital Interactive Issue

■ Chillicothe, Missouri

Grand Junction, Colorado ■ ■ Marion, North Carolina
SMALL BUSINESSES

BIG SUPPORT FROM COMMUNITIES

Small businesses have been hit hard by the operations. Regardless of location, SBDC’s are the regional planning commission, GEM offers
COVID-19 pandemic. And yet, many small the first call I believe small business owners and eight weeks of business training for entrepreneurs,
firms are seeing opportunities to reach new entrepreneurs should be making. leading to development of a business plan.
markets. In addition, to many people who have Additionally, the program offers a $5,000 grant
been furloughed or laid-off, it seems the time to Beyond that, though, there are communities that for people who start their business downtown.
start their own business is now. Remote workers work hard to really nurture their entrepreneurs “The businesses must also agree to participate
looking for that new location may also have a and small firms. How they approach supporting in downtown events as a way to encourage
trailing spouse who sees opportunity in starting small firms varies, of course, from place to place networking and help attract customers to
her or his new firm. and their focus on overall community needs. If a downtown”, notes Lockett. GEM is a partnership
small firm, entrepreneur, or remote worker with of the Marion Business Association, City of Marion,
For most small firms and entrepreneurs looking trailing spouse has a chance to pick a location, McDowell County Chamber of Commerce,
at starting a business, cash is king. But it may they should focus on those areas that have and the Small Business Center at the community
not be the most important thing. “Clients tell or are building supporting networks. Smaller college. So far, GEM has supported sixteen new
us having access to talent and a strong local metropolitan areas and rural communities often firms downtown with ten receiving grants. The
entrepreneur network are most important” work harder to nurture their small businesses program has been so successful, Lockett says
says Erik Pages, of EntreWorks Consulting, a because they see the impact those firms can his organization plans to replicate it in other
consulting firm that assists small businesses and have. They can also provide a lot in quality of communities in the four-county region.
communities in developing support programs. living. Here are a few ideas of how communities
Pages adds, “Networks can be a lifeline in terms are working hard for their small firms. “Where Innovation is Born and Families are
of finding talent, partners and customers”. Raised” is the motto of Chillicothe, a rural city of
Just thirty miles down Interstate 40 from Asheville, 9,000 in northwest Missouri. It is a phrase taken
Regardless of location a key part of the network entrepreneurs may find an attractive and less seriously as business growth and maintaining a
is the Small Business Development Center expensive home in Marion, North Carolina. quality, rural lifestyle are top development

system. SBDC’s have great resources to help About five years ago this community of nearly considerations in this community 90 miles
entrepreneurs and small businesses. The SBDC 8,000 people began Growing Entrepreneurs from Kansas City. While the city has large
network, which is supported by the U.S. Small Marion (GEM) to both grow its business base manufacturing firms, small businesses drive the
Business Administration, has regional offices and revitalize its downtown. economy according to Chamber of Commerce
in every state. The staff at these offices provide Executive Director Crystal Narr. “For us, small
assistance from developing a business plan, According to Steve Lockett, Director of Economic, businesses play a significant role in creating a
to finding funding resources, to help with Community and Workforce Development for sense of place; of setting the community apart”,

60. FDI ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL