Fueling Entrepreneurship in Rural America
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Rural communities across the country are experiencing a powerful shift in how they support entrepreneurs. It’s happening through stronger connections, better tools, and leaders who show consistency and intention. In a recent conversation with ecosystem builders from West Virginia, Kansas, and Iowa, a clear blueprint emerged: thriving rural ecosystems grow when technology closes distance, leadership builds trust, and mindsets shift from scarcity to abundance.
From statewide virtual ecosystem meetings to shared CRMs and hybrid workspaces, digital tools are reshaping how resource partners collaborate. But technology alone isn’t the engine: people are. Champions rooted in their communities bring the energy, stability, and trust that drive momentum. And when entrepreneurs themselves become leaders and co-designers, ecosystems accelerate even faster. To hear all about how rural communities are adapting and growing, be sure to check out our latest blog.
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Ecosystem Unfiltered GEW Webinar
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As part of Global Entrepreneurship Week 2025, SourceLink invited Rebecca Moudry (Fairfax CORE), Mark Burdette (West Virginia BusinessLink), Roxana Martinelli (MI Small Business Helper), and Alyssa Goslee (Oʻahu Business Connector) to share their insights and knowledge during our webinar, Ecosystem Unfiltered: Your Questions, Their Wisdom.
This ask-us-anything format provided compelling insights and thought proving conversation. Just a few of the engaging questions explored included:
- Which “sacred cows” need to be challenged in entrepreneurship-led economic development?
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How did the entrepreneurship Fed-to-Founder program help Fairfax County respond to rising unemployment?
- What lessons did Detroit unlock while driving their innovation ecosystem across Southeast Michigan?
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How have these leaders been able to advance their ecosystem building efforts by being entrepreneurial themselves?
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Building Santa Fe's Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
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Santa Fe’s entrepreneurial community never lacked talent or passion, but like many regions, it faced a systemic challenge: entrepreneurs were navigating a maze of overlapping programs, unclear pathways, and fragmented support. With American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, Santa Fe finally had the opportunity to solve that problem through the Santa Fe Small Business Navigator program. Anchored by Arrowhead Center at New Mexico State University, the City of Santa Fe, and powered by SourceLink, the Small Business Navigator gives entrepreneurs what they’ve needed all along: a single point of entry, a trusted guide, and a clearer way to find the right resource at the right time. Read more about how this platform works in our latest launch blog.
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Affiliate & Partner Updates |
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| Global Entrepreneurship Week - KC
KCSourceLink celebrated Global Entrepreneurship Week at Union Station in Kansas City, MO where more than 1,000 entrepreneurs attended free sessions from small business experts, networked with peers from across the region, and explored resources to utilize on their small business journey. As one of the largest and longest running GEW celebrations, the event is one of the entrepreneurial highlights of the year. Check out KCSourceLink’s LinkedIn page to learn how it all came together.
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SourceLink Quarterly Conversation Features Jim Woodell
Our next SourceLink Affiliate Quarterly Conversation is on Thursday, December 18 at 12:00pm to 1:30pm CT with guest speaker, Jim Woodell, Ph.D. of Venn Collaborative. In this interactive session, participants will explore C•CUBE, a free online toolkit for entrepreneurial ecosystem building, and experience how structured dialogue can transform ideas into coordinated action. Together we’ll uncover how intentional conversation can activate the networks and partnerships that SourceLink communities already nurture. Quarterly Conversations are an exclusive benefit offered to SourceLink affiliates. Interested in joining us? Contact Krista Markley.
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Global Entrepreneurship Week Rochester
Rochester, NY kicked off their Global Entrepreneurship Week with their very own event in the heart of Rochester. Run by SourceLink affiliate Third Eye Network, GEWROC served 200 small business owners and featured 59 speakers over the course of 4 days. Check out GEWROC to learn more.
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Network Kansas Employee Recognized in Kansas Awards
Congratulations to Sophia Drouhard, Network Kansas’ Venture Investment Coordinator for being recognized at the 2025 Next Gen 30 Under 30 Awards in the Nonprofit Organization category. Her work for Network Kansas supports small business owners across the state of Kansas. Congrats, Sophia!
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| Joel Barrett in Top 5 Finalists for Kauffman Uncommon Leader Impact Award
We want to congratulate Joel Barrett for being one of the five finalists of the Uncommon Leader Impact Award from the Kauffman Foundation. Joel is the Sr. Business Development Consultant at the Small Business Development Center, a program of the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s UMKC Innovation Center. Joel’s leadership and coaching have had a tremendous impact on many small business owners in the Kansas City, Missouri area. Congrats and good luck, Joel!
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Network Kansas is Hiring
Network Kansas is looking for a full-time Manager of eProgramming to support entrepreneurial education and community programming across Central & Eastern Kansas. This Wichita/Andover-based role works closely with eCommunity partners to help grow small businesses and local economies. Know someone who would be interested? Have them apply ASAP!
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Spotlight on Michigan Small Business Helper
A newer SourceLink affiliate, MI Small Business Helper was recently featured on WXYZ Detroit's Spotlight in the News. The broadcast featured Wafa Dinaro, Executive Director, New Economy Initiative and Darnell Adams, V.P. of Detroit Community Initiatives for the Gilbert Family Foundation who shared why this is such a powerful new platform to accelerate Southeast Michigan small business owners and entrepreneurs. Watch the newscast here.
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IEDC is Searching for a Director of Development
The International Economic Development Council is looking for their next business development director. If you are an innovative and passionate fundraiser who is looking for a new adventure, be sure to apply.
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Maria Meyers Featured on The Yard Podcast
SourceLink Founder Maria Meyers was featured on episode 6 of The Yard, a podcast from affiliate Porter House KC. Maria discussed resources, community and growth; lessons every entrepreneur needs to hear. Tune in to the episode here.
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ESHIP Commons Job Board
Do you know someone looking to get into the entrepreneurship-led economic development field? ESHIP Commons has an opportunity board that features job openings. Be sure to check it often. Please share your opportunities with our SourceLink team via hello@joinsourcelink.com, and we will include them in our newsletter too.
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Have News to Share?
Let us know! We love to celebrate our network successes and amplify inspirational applications of ecosystem building and entrepreneurship-led economic development. You can email us at hello@joinsourcelink.com.
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Visit our Calendar of Entrepreneurship & Economic Development Events to discover more information on these events and other conversations just on the horizon.
- November is National Entrepreneurship Month
- Black Friday, Nov. 28
- Small Business Saturday, Nov. 29
- Cyber Monday, Dec. 1
- Giving Tuesday, Dec. 2
IEDC Economic Development Marketing & Attraction, Dec. 2 - 3
IEDC Economic Development Credit Analysis, Dec. 4 - 5
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IEDC Economic Development Ethics Workshop, Dec. 15
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Click on the icons above to find out how SourceLink can help you strengthen your entrepreneurial community.
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