Economic Development–Sowing the Seeds

There’s been a lot of talk over the past couple of years about economic development in our area and across the United States. Jobs have disappeared and the large companies most counties court to move to an area to add jobs just aren’t interested in picking up and moving to our area. Many people seem to think that small business is our ticket to recovery from the depression. The question is, what stimulates entrepreneurialism and how does a community go about encouraging that growth?

There is a group of people in Rock Hill, South Carolina who are exploring the economic gardening approach. On October 22, there will be a day-long conference titled “Unemployment, Punk Rock and the Knowledge Economy” on that very subject. During that day participants will learn more about this approach and how it might be applied to the city, especially in the Old Town area of Rock Hill.  The event is sponsored by the Arts Council of York County, Revenflo, The City of Rock Hill, WRHI and Family Trust Federal Credit Union.

If you are an entrepreneur or aspire to be one in the area, you may want to participate in this event.

Photo by Trees for the Future

Evolution in Business: Survival of the Quickest?

It is no secret that this is a stressful time for business owners all over the world. It doesn’t seem to matter the size these days, the challenges are universal. How do we find customers who have the money to purchase our goods and services? What happens when our market disappears?   How will our businesses survive? Seth Godin gives more than a few suggestions in Pivots for Change. His ideas may ignite possibilities that you hadn’t thought about. New avenues may open.

Photo by Kevin Dooley