Category Archives: Current News

In my continuing efforts to share economic development programs that work, I give you the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program.  SBIR is a national initiative that requires Federal research and development agencies, such as the Pentagon or National Institutes of … Continue reading →

Americans have traditionally been among the world’s most mobile people.  We think very little of picking up and moving to a new community for work or to start over in life.  But, over the past decade, Americans seem to moving … Continue reading →

A number of recent studies, from the Kauffman Foundation and others, have been making the sensible case that not all entrepreneurs are alike.  Certain kinds of entrepreneurs, termed “gazelles,” high-growth companies, or innovation-driven enterprises, are the real drivers of economic … Continue reading →

Yesterday in Harrisburg, PA, the Pennsylvania Economic Developers Association (PEDA) heard a report on an excellent workforce training demonstration project now underway in Reading and Berks County, PA.  This effort, known as “Careers in Two Years,” can and should be … Continue reading →

A new European Central Bank survey released yesterday shows that small businesses in Europe continue to face daunting conditions when it comes to accessing outside financing.   The survey, which covers conditions from October 2012 to March 2013, finds that a … Continue reading →

There is no shortage of excellent reports and articles that tout the importance of entrepreneurship to regional development, so I do my best to avoid simply jumping on the bandwagon for every interesting new report or study.   However, I’m going … Continue reading →

Last year, we published one of our quarterly newsletters, EntreWorks Insights, with a focus on social impact bonds (SIBs).  SIBs, first pioneered in the UK are a tool to encourage greater private investment in key social sector activities.  They work … Continue reading →

I attended an interesting Farm Foundation forum in DC today on the topic of natural gas extraction and its impacts on rural America.  The panel included researchers, industry representatives, and a farmer/elected official from Tioga County, PA, ground zero for … Continue reading →

Next week (April 9), I’ll be up in Boston participating in a panel discussion at the National Business Incubation Association’s (NBIA) International Conference on Business Incubation.  Our panel will be discussing the do’s and don’ts of political advocacy, which can … Continue reading →

Back in 2011, the Georgia State Legislature passed HB 87, a bill that empowered police to check the immigration status of anyone stopped for minor offenses, such as traffic violations.   This new law, which remains under judicial review, has wreaked havoc … Continue reading →