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Minnesota communities look for ways to foster small businesses in an effort to grow the economy one job at a time
Minnesotans generate an unending stream of entrepreneurial ideas, from new food snacks to industrial tarps to replaceable lawnmower blades. And entrepreneurism is increasingly appreciated as a key economic driver for the state. But by a number of measures, entrepreneurial health in Minnesota has slipped. So even as more communities shift economic development strategies to encouraging entrepreneurism, the question remains: What are the best ways to encourage it at levels significant enough to matter?
This Ground Level project looks at places in Minnesota that have been trying to foster a more entrepreneurial culture and the people trying to take action.
ONE JOB AT A TIME
Job challenge: Grow more entrepreneurs
From the Iron Range to Winona to Montevideo, Minnesota communities increasingly talk of fostering an entrepreneurial culture to create jobs, to attract people, to enrich lives.
Microloans and a hand to hold fill gap for startups
With banks toughening up their lending practices and would-be assets like homes worth less, many entrepreneurs are looking elsewhere for startup money.
Muriel Krusemark, the fireball of Hoffman
All a city needs is one person with a big idea and loads of enthusiasm to create a turnaround and spur small business growth.
Crowdsourced funding for Bemidji micro-brewery
The Bemidji Brewing Company plans to have its first public batch of brew on tap in a few local pubs by early summer. Kickstarter allowed the group to move forward at the nano-brewery level and created a buzz around the fledgling business.
Arts economy rises on the southwest prairie
People in western Minnesota, an area stretching from Ortonville to Granite Falls, are hoping that focusing on creativity, art and handwork will lead to jobs and reverse the longstanding trend toward a declining and graying population.
When starting a business is the only choice
Facing economic uncertainty, entrepreneurs turn to start-up creation for opportunity creation.
Strengthening rural Latino start-ups
More than any other racial or ethnic group in the United States, Latinos are entrepreneurs, and that tendency has been increasing.
Older, wiser Minnesotans turn to self-employment
A growing contingent of people over 55 are going into business for themselves, becoming what some call "encore entrepreneurs" or "olderpreneurs."
Worthington builds on bioscience niche
On the edge of town, not far from the many livestock farms near Worthington, the employees of Newport Laboratories work to kill the microscopic bugs that sicken farm animals.
"I had it all on the line"
A few years ago, Jason LaValley had no clue how to start or operate a business. Now he's running a multi-million dollar company that has 16 full and part-time employees and is poised for growth.
So you want to go into the food business
For 20 years, a big factor in launching food startups has been state-funded test kitchen in Crookston.Entrepreneurs to watch
Sunflower seeds, Scandinavian gifts, and wakeboarders. Three vignettes of Minnesota entrepreneurs making a run for success.
Q and A
How do you make it work?
What is entrepreneurship, can it be taught, how does Minnesota stack up? A conversation with two Minnesota experts.
Examine Entrepreneurship
Job challenge: Grow more entrepreneurs
February 29, 2012
Microloans and a hand to hold fill gap for startups
February 17, 2012
With banks toughening up their lending practices and would-be assets like homes worth less, many entrepreneurs are looking elsewhere for startup money.
Muriel Krusemark, the fireball of Hoffman
March 7, 2012
All a city needs is one person with a big idea and loads of enthusiasm to create a turnaround and spur small business growth.
Crowdsourced funding for Bemidji micro-brewery
March 5, 2012
The Bemidji Brewing Company plans to have its first public batch of brew on tap in a few local pubs by early summer. Kickstarter allowed the group to move forward at the nano-brewery level and created a buzz around the fledgling business.
Arts economy rises on the southwest prairie
March 6, 2012
People in western Minnesota, an area stretching from Ortonville to Granite Falls, are hoping that focusing on creativity, art and handwork will lead to jobs and reverse the longstanding trend toward a declining and graying population.
When starting a business is the only choice
March 5, 2012
Facing economic uncertainty, entrepreneurs turn to start-up creation for opportunity creation.
Strengthening rural Latino start-ups
March 5, 2012
More than any other racial or ethnic group in the United States, Latinos are entrepreneurs, and that tendency has been increasing.
Older, wiser Minnesotans turn to self-employment
March 2, 2012
A growing contingent of people over 55 are going into business for themselves, becoming what some call "encore entrepreneurs" or "olderpreneurs."
Worthington builds on bioscience niche
March 2, 2012
On the edge of town, not far from the many livestock farms near Worthington, the employees of Newport Laboratories work to kill the microscopic bugs that sicken farm animals.
"I had it all on the line"
February 29, 2012
A few years ago, Jason LaValley had no clue how to start or operate a business. Now he's running a multi-million dollar company that has 16 full and part-time employees and is poised for growth.
So you want to go into the food business
February 20, 2012
For 20 years, a big factor in launching food startups has been state-funded test kitchen in Crookston.Entrepreneurs to watch
February 22, 2012
Sunflower seeds, Scandinavian gifts, and wakeboarders. Three vignettes of Minnesota entrepreneurs making a run for success.
RESEARCH
Want more entrepreneurs? Welcome immigrants, for one thing.
Kauffman Foundation has been studying entrepreneurship in the United States for many years and just put out two reports focusing on how states and local communities can make things easier.
Maps and Reports
Is there a thriving entrepreneurial community where you live?
What makes one place seem to have an entrepreneurial spirit and another not? Read more about what they have to say and join the conversation.
From the census
Census data on proprietor income changes and self-employment across Minnesota
RESOURCES
Online Discussion
Crowdsourced funding for Bemidji micro-brewery
View the chat about beer in Minnesota on the Ground Level Blog
Thursday, March 8, 2012, MPR hosted an online chat on about where our blossoming microbrew culture is headed.
Q and A
How do you make it work?
What is entrepreneurship, can it be taught, how does Minnesota stack up? A conversation with two Minnesota experts.
Three entrepreneurs
Microloan lets Iron Range couple move back
Catherine Branville always knew she wanted to own a store. But she wasn't sure what sort it would be. Branville's decision was made for her when Irma's Finland House, a mainstay gift shop in Virginia, came up for sale a year and a half ago. February 9, 2012
One Job at a Time: The story of Nots!
Rob Fuglie's brainstorm began with the swinging of a hammer to smash sunflower seeds on his kitchen counter. His young son is allergic to nuts, and so, tired of munching plain old sunflower seeds, Fuglie endeavored to create something more crunchy and tasty.Feb. 3, 2012
Red Wing wakeboarder hopes for success
Kyle Mehrkens grew up on Lake Pepin near Red Wing, so it was only natural that he'd invent a contraption that makes it easier to be on the water. Jan. 23, 2012
Ground Level: a Minnesota Public Radio News project examining community issues across Minnesota
We identify topics that are significant and complex and that play out uniquely at the local level. We want to explore those issues in which people taking action in their communities make a difference and can serve as guides for others.
Ground Level launched in early 2010 and shines a light on a variety of topics, from the growing complexity of Minnesota's local food system to cities preparing for new fiscal realities, from exurban growth in Baldwin Township to the quest to expand broadband access across the state.
We experiment with coverage on a variety of platforms. This includes text, audio and video online, of course - the Ground Level blog, a series of topics pages and social networking, for example. It also includes on-air coverage, public forums both virtual and real-world and collaboration with community-based media.
Our audience consists of Minnesotans interested in community life, particularly those who are taking an active part in it or helping others do the same.
Ground Level is very much an experiment -- in finding ways to learn about and tell stories, in working with other organizations, in walking up to the line between providing insight and advocating specific actions. Our goal is to inform and give people the ability and incentive to engage with their community. We invite your feedback and your ideas, via the blog, twitter at @MPRGroundLevel, phone calls, emails, whatever. Join us.
About the team:
Dave Peters
Dave Peters directs MPR's project on community journalism, looking for ways Minnesota residents are making their towns, cities and neighborhoods better places to live. He joined MPR News in 2009 after more than 30 years as a newspaper and online reporter and editor. Contact Dave
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