THE RURBAN FRINGE

If It Works in Sangudo, Why Not In Your Community?

The following is a guest post by Dan Ohler, coach, colleague, and co-operative co-founder … read on to find out more how he and other community members revitalized their small rural community though collaborative action.
Sangudo Opportunity Development Co-operative (SODC) is a unique investment co-op working to revitalize the economic viability of the small rural community of Sangudo, [...]

Small Businesses Aren’t Everything, They’re the Only Thing

October 16-22 is Small Business Week here in Canada … a time to celebrate the many contributions small businesses make our economy. 
And while the economic recession has taken a toll on many owners and entrepreneurs, small businesses still managed to employ almost half of Canada’s total workforce (that’s over 5 million people, folks) while accounting for over $68 billion [...]

Young Entrepreneurs Build Successful Rural Enterprises

In Ceredigion, a small county in mid-west Wales, three young entrepreneurs are building thriving rural businesses.  And, as anyone working in rural development can tell you, entrepreneurship is one the biggest drivers of economic success for small communities.  
In Farmers Weekly, Debbie James writes: 
“It’s a typical weekday afternoon in the Sweet household.
Tom is at the computer sifting [...]

Wanted: Canadian Businesses in Need

CBC has recently announced that the producers of Canada’s top-rated business entertainment program, Dragon’s Den, are looking for struggling Canadian companies to participate in a new business show. 
In this new series, some of the country’s top investors will spend their time and money to help these Canadian companies get back on their feet and will offer [...]

Entrepreneurship: Nature vs. Nurture?

Within the last few years, the notion of ‘growing’ entrepreneurs within one’s own economy has become mainstream.  There’s ‘economic gardening’ programs (i.e. planting seeds for economic growth by assisting local entrepreneurs), entrepreneurship training options (i.e Energizing Entrepreneurs or GoForth) and even a US Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education.  In Canada, 2011 has been declared the Year of the Entrepreneur. 
Encouraging entrepreneurship makes [...]

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