Microenterprise: a new frontier for EDPros Monday, May 19, 2003 We used to draw hard distinctions between economic development and community development. The line is blurring, and it probably makes no real sense any more. For example, we know that "quality places" are critical to competing in today's economy. Is this "economic development" or "commmunity development"? The label doesn't really matter. So, EDPros -- especially those in rural areas and inner cities -- need to become more skilled at dealing with a range of new tools, such as microloans. Here's a good article on microloans in New Jersey, and another article from Rhode Island. Last week, Hewlett Packard announced funding awards to nine development organizations that focus on microenterprises. These organizations include the Philadephia Development Partnership, Detroit Entrepreneurship Institute, Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center, Pace Business Development Center, Community Business Partnership, Women Entrepreneurs of Baltimore, The Lakota Fund, and ACCION Texas. For more information on microenterprise development, visit the Association for Enterprise Opportunity. The Aspen Institute also maintains a directory of microenterprise organizations, so you can see it there are any operating near you. posted by Ed Morrison |		This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License. links Some Background on EDPro Weblog The purpose of this weblog is to help economic development professionals -- EDPros -- keep up with the changes sweeping our profession. Strap on your goggles. It's a whole new game. There are no experts any more. The only place to learn about economic development is from other EDPros who are doing it. One other point: the prevaling approach (paradigm, if you like) in economic development is shifting from competition to collaboration. There are a lot of reaasons underlying this shift, but here's the important insight: You, your community, and your region will do better by collaborating and sharing information. So, spread the word...Share the knowledge. Tell a friend about EDPro Weblog. If you are using a news reader, here is the link to syndicate this site: Here's the link if you are a bloglines subscriber: Speaking and workshops on Open Source Economic Development As the idea of Open Source Economic Development starts spreading, more people are asking about it. Visit the I-Open web site to learn more. My colleagues and I are happy to explain the basic concepts in a talk or a workshop. E-mail Susan Alshuler if you'd like to learn more about workshops and speaking. Background on Ed Morrison Download some background information on me here.

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