Edelman, Mark; Burke, Sandra Charvat

December 2011

A Rural YES “Young Entrepreneur Summit” was organized at Iowa State University featuring a panel of successful rural entrepreneurs along with SBA Deputy Administrator Marie Johns, USDA Rural Development Deputy Under Secretary Doug Obrien, Governor Terry Branstad, and Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds on November 9, 2011.  Over 160 participants attended and over 2 dozen diverse collaborating organizations supported the event.  Near the end of the program, small group discussions participants were asked to identify the resources available in their home location and to suggest next steps for improving entrepreneurial opportunities in rural America.  This report highlights the results of this process.

Keywords: rural entrepreneruship

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