Monthly Archives: May 2011

Last week, I had the opportunity to participate in a roundtable discussion hosted by the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED) and its current Secretary, Christian Johannsen.  In many ways, Maryland is blessed when it comes to supporting innovation … Continue reading →

Next week, I’ll be serving as a judge for the 2011 Donald W. Reynolds Tri-State Business Plan Competition.  The Reynolds Cup is a business plan contest for students from three states: Arkansas, Nevada, and Oklahoma.  Started in 2001, it is … Continue reading →

Among various volunteer activities, I serve as the Chair of a local committee to create a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for the City of Alexandria and Arlington County in Virginia.  A CEDS plan is a requirement to receive funding … Continue reading →

Last year, EntreWorks Consulting had the pleasure of facilitating the development of “The Ride to Prosperity,” a new economic development action plan for Greater Reading and Berks County in Pennsylvania.   This effort was distinctive in several ways.  It brought together … Continue reading →

While many economic developers, especially those based in Washington, are heavily focused on regional clusters, the reallity is that, for many smaller firms, building stronger supply chain connections will probably generate more bottom line benefits than links to regional innovation … Continue reading →

California regularly ranks at or near the bottom of various national rankings of state business climates.   Examples of these rankings  include the annual Small Business Survival Index and annual rankings from the Tax Foundation.  These studies suggest that high taxes … Continue reading →