economic development
Weed Whackers and Windex
Ninjas Needed I visited Roscommon County, Michigan and toured a few empty buildings. On one corner, a major intersection into town, there was an empty building on each corner. We talked about building possibility, working with the county and the town and hosting a tour. Next to one of the buildings that needed to be…
Read MoreChristmas is the PERFECT Time to Shop Where You Live
If you’re a small business, you’re neck deep in Christmas. It’s only 23 days until Christmas. We all know how fast time goes, and even faster as you get older. Do you buy gifts for your employees? Many do. Many give out cash. Why not purchase Chamber bucks instead of giving out cash? Ours can…
Read MoreWhat is Showrooming?
You see something on tv, or online. You go to your local store to actually look at the item. Then you go online, often on your phone while you’re in the store, to find it somewhere else cheaper. That is showrooming. We live in a small town. Small towns need local jobs, sales tax revenue,…
Read MoreBeaujolais Nouveau with Friends
Christine, Cruzanne, Lynn and I used to celebrate Beaujolais Nouveau Day on the third Thursday in November with the new wine from the Beaujolais region from France, crepes and a long and happy meal together. I think it’s where I started to think that everyone’s birthday was in November. It was such a fun evening…
Read MoreTEDx Brookings – My Presentation
October 1 I presented at Brookings, SD on the Tour of Empty Buildings. it was an honor and a pleasure. Enjoy the video!
Read MoreThe Enchanted Highway
Gary Greff because the process of building the world’s largest sculptures in 1989. He came home to Regent, ND to save his community. Gary had no idea how to do that but then thought “what if I create something that everyone will remember?” That’s what he did – built 7 sculptures made of scrap metal…
Read MoreWhat’s in store for retail?
McKenzie reports that by 2020 1/3 of the worlds markets will be emerging. Retail stores will need to be leaner, denser and more in touch with their digital channels. When it’s so easy to shop online, it’s obviously affected the brick and mortar stores. Did you know 44% of those surveyed actually do product research…
Read MoreMillennials as Entrepreneurs
The Kauffman report was recently released and it talked about Entrepreneurs and the Millennials and Baby Boomers. Jack Schulz from Agracel first shared the news with us. Today we’re reprinting the section on Millennials (Friday – Boomers). What are your thoughts/? Millennials (born from 1981–1997) have created fewer and fewer businesses since they entered the…
Read MoreAre Rural Needs Being Met?
36% of Iowa is rural. 51% of Hamilton County is rural. I found these numbers on a newsletter I get from SmallBizSurvival.com (click here to subscribe, email me at deb at debworks dot come and I’ll forward you the newsletter article that prompted this blog post.) Becky McCray talked about how state and city conferences are…
Read MoreRural Philanthropy in Michigan
Rural Partners in Michigan, of the Michigan Rural Conference, gives out Rural Grants. Every year they host the Small Town and Rural Development Conference. I’ve been asked to keynote in April and I’m very excited to be a part of this conference. Because these guys get it. This program offers grants of up to $800…
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