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Field writing from SourceLink practitioners on Network news.
Network news
A Year of Resilience: Cheers to 2021
You don’t always appreciate what you have until it’s gone. After collectively witnessing many of our main street and small businesses across the country close in 2020, there arose a new sense of appreciation for the value entrepreneurs bring to our communities and our economy. In 2021, we saw new programs and funding opportunities from...
Jan 11, 2022
Network news
Reflecting on 2021 and reimagining 2022
Our final SourceLink Affiliate Quarterly Conversation of the year was packed with great information and fun. First, we congratulated affiliates selected to participate in the SBA Community Navigator Pilot Program including National Urban League, Nicolet Area Technical College, New Bedford Economic Council, Rochester Economic Development Corporation and Forward Cities. Then we welcomed newly launched affiliates...
Dec 15, 2021
Network news
Welcome, SourceLink Nebraska!
Aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners in Nebraska now have access to a premier network of interconnected support resources that spans the 76,878 square mile state. It is with great pride and excitement that we welcome our newest SourceLink℠ affiliate, SourceLink Nebraska! Start where you are From inception to implementation, ecosystem building can be a...
Nov 16, 2021
Network news
Welcome, BizLink Orange!
Today marks the start of Global Entrepreneurship Week, an annual initiative that shines a light not only on the value entrepreneurs bring to our communities and global economy, but also the importance of building infrastructures that make it easier for them to start and scale their businesses. SourceLink℠ partners with over 60 different communities...
Nov 08, 2021
Network news
Join the International Celebration of Makers, Innovators and Job Creators November 8-14
Business closures and job losses caused by the pandemic forced thousands of people to reevaluate their lives and career paths. Individuals who had never considered launching a startup began creating businesses out of a combination of necessity and opportunity. According to data from the Census Bureau, Americans filed paperwork to start 4.3 million businesses last year,...
Oct 13, 2021
Network news
Measuring Data and Creating Impactful Economic Reports
Data captured from the small businesses supported by SourceLink® affiliate organizations provides valuable information for our network to report to their community stakeholders. At our recent SourceLink Quarterly Conversation on September 23, three affiliates shared their best practices in collecting and reporting impactful insights. Tracking and supporting job creation Cameron Cushman and Marco Johnson, from...
Oct 05, 2021
Network news
SourceLink + The IEDC: New Certification Program Uniting Economic Developers and Entrepreneurs
The last two years have witnessed a boom in entrepreneurial activity like never before. According to 2021 data from the Census Bureau, Americans filed paperwork to start 4.3 million businesses last year in spite of the economic recession — a 24 percent uptick from the previous year, and the most in a decade and a half, according to The New York...
Sep 03, 2021
Network news
Celebrating Entrepreneurship-led Economic Development this Economic Development Week
According to my friend Jeff Finkle (pictured right), president of the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), “Supporting entrepreneurs and small-business owners with creating and growing their local companies is a crucial part of economic development.” We couldn’t agree more. The future of community and economic development is based on the success of local entrepreneurs and...
May 10, 2021
Network news
Goals in Action: A Look Inside March’s Quarterly Conversation
After such a challenging year, we asked our affiliates at our December Quarterly Conversation to identify and prioritize what they’d like to accomplish in 2021. We then discussed their plans for achieving their goals at our March Quarterly Conversation. Identifying gaps, objectives and resources SourceLink® emailed each affiliate a “Make a Plan: Take Action” worksheet...
Mar 30, 2021
Network news
New Beginnings: A Look Inside December's Quarterly Conversation
Each quarter, we are proud to bring together our affiliates for conversations around industry trends or challenges; we share best practices and insights gained from the previous quarter and celebrate in each other's successes. Our affiliates gathered virtually in December for our last Quarterly Conversation of the year, and to celebrate entrepreneurship community building. Together, we said “Good-Bye 2020, Hello to New Beginnings.”
Feb 03, 2021
Network news
SourceLink 2020 Year in Review
A review of all the amazing things the SourceLink network was able to accomplish in 2020.
Jan 14, 2021
Network news
Our Gift in 2020 Was You
I have been given hope this last year by our SourceLink network’s ability to rise to the extraordinary challenges of 2020.
Jan 14, 2021