The Concept

Enterprise development aims to encourage sustainable economic development by providing access to information, advice and support, and by fostering a community environment supportive to entrepreneurship. In other words, it is a "bottom-up" approach to development.

Instead of waiting for outside programs to bring economic development down to the local level, the enterprise facilitator concept delivers a hands-on, one-to-one focus on local individuals as businesspeople.

In recognizing the potential of individuals in our communities, we consider the following facts:

 

Individuals' ideas can develop into self-supporting and innovative new businesses, if those ideas are nurtured.

 

In the same manner, existing businesses can pursue their dreams of expansion, and can be strengthened through improvement of their business skills.

 

In any community, there are individuals who have promising ideas and who wish to develop those ideas into rewarding business ventures. (This is of particular importance to Lincoln County in moving beyond our heavy dependence on agriculture for economic well-being.)

 

Information is power. Through access to resources, the individual will make better business decisions. But to do so, a "bridge" is often needed between the local entrepreneur and those resources.

 

The seeds for change are already present in our area. If we create a nurturing environment, individuals' ideas can flourish.