The Blog
Economic Development.
Field writing from SourceLink practitioners on Economic Development.
Economic Development
Second Stage - Supporting the Types of Businesses in Your Ecosystem
This multi-part series offers ecosystem builders and economic developers insights into the characteristics of the four types of businesses in an entrepreneurial ecosystem—and targeted strategies that help those businesses thrive. Small businesses form the crux of the American economy. Recent data from the U.S. Small Business Administration shows the U.S. is home to 33.3 million...
May 30, 2025
Economic Development
Trailblazing Together: The Future of Entrepreneurship-Led Economic Development
The world of economic development is constantly evolving and everchanging. Entrepreneurship-led economic development has become more of a focus in communities across the country as more and more recognize how crucial local small businesses are to growth and job creation. Entrepreneurship is more important than ever and organizations that support small business owners will likely...
Dec 20, 2024
Economic Development
Innovation-Led - Supporting the Types of Businesses in Your Ecosystem
This multi-part series offers ecosystem builders and economic developers insights into the four types of businesses in an entrepreneurial ecosystem—and targeted strategies that help them thrive. Small businesses form the crux of the American economy. Recent data from the U.S. Small Business Administration shows the U.S. is home to 33.3 million companies that qualify as...
Nov 12, 2024
Economic Development
Main Street – Supporting the Types of Businesses in Your Ecosystem
This multi-part series offers ecosystem builders and economic developers' insights into the characteristics of the four types of businesses in an entrepreneurial ecosystem—and targeted strategies that help those businesses thrive. Small businesses form the crux of the American economy. Recent data from the U.S. Small Business Administration shows the United States is home to 33.3...
Jul 30, 2024
Economic Development
Microenterprises - Supporting the Types of Businesses in Your Ecosystem
This multi-part series offers ecosystem builders and economic developers insights into the characteristics of each business type and targeted strategies that help those businesses thrive. Small businesses form the crux of the American economy. Recent data from the U.S. Small Business Administration shows the U.S. is home to 33.3 million companies that qualify as small...
Jun 05, 2024
Economic Development
Spring Cleaning for Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Developers
Spring cleaning isn't just for closets and cobwebs. Entrepreneurial ecosystems are dynamic, and as they evolve, regular reevaluation—or "spring cleaning"—becomes essential to foster innovation, optimize resources, enhance competitiveness, and ensure sustained growth. Regular reevaluation is not merely about decluttering; it allows ecosystems to stay in sync with the changing business landscape and ensure their infrastructure...
Mar 29, 2024
Economic Development
Understanding Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Measurement Part 4: Strategic Reporting
This four-part series addresses why tracking and measuring the activity of your entrepreneurial ecosystem is crucial to its long-term sustainability and the economic success of your community. Part 1 of this series covers why measurement is important, Part 2 discusses what to measure, Part 3 provided insights into how to measure, and Part 4 delves...
Feb 24, 2024
Economic Development
Hands, Head, and Heart: Professional Development Opportunities for those in Entrepreneurship-Led Economic Development and Ecosystem Building
When I started this work almost 20 years ago, very few entrepreneurship-led economic development, much less ecosystem building, resources or institutions existed for early practitioners to be able to tap into. Today, the environment is so much more robust, and frankly, exciting! From international associations picking up the mantle of entrepreneurship-led economic development to grassroots...
Nov 13, 2023
Economic Development
SourceLink Affiliate Quarterly Conversation – September 2023
SourceLink Continues to Grow, Adding New Staff and Affiliates Welcome to our new SourceLink staff member, Solomon Lee. Solomon will serve as a project manager and brings considerable expertise to our team. Prior to joining SourceLink, Solomon was with Louisiana Economic Development, where he helped implement the Louisiana Business Hub platform statewide and across multiple...
Oct 24, 2023
Economic Development
Celebrating Economic Development Week 2023
Throughout the course of American history, the meaning and purpose of the phrase ‘economic development’ has changed and evolved. The California Association for Local Economic Development describes our current use of economic development clearly and succinctly: “Economic Development is the creation of wealth from which community benefits are realized. […] It’s an investment in growing...
May 08, 2023
Economic Development
Celebrating Small Business Week: How to Champion Entrepreneurs Today and All Yearlong
In honor of National Small Business Week, we’re celebrating the unique and enterprising spirit of entrepreneurs who contribute to our communities. Created by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) over 50 years ago, the event is co-hosted by SCORE and shines a spotlight on the innovation and hard work that goes into building a successful...
Apr 23, 2023
Economic Development
National League of Cities Webinar Features Entrepreneur Focused Economic Development Solutions
Exciting conversations are happening in the economic development world! Thanks to the National League of Cities’ (NLC) Center for City Solutions, supporters and visionaries can come together to explore groundbreaking ways of assessing citywide economic development in a webinar series. Through these webinars, thought leaders and dynamic guest speakers share innovative approaches they use to...
Jan 18, 2023