Affiliate & Partner Updates

Conference Season is Starting 

Join us March 1-3 in Washington, D.C., for the 2026 IEDC Leadership Summit! IEDC’s Leadership Summit convenes economic development leaders from across the globe to advance shared policy priorities and help shape the future of the field. Rob and Krista will be sharing information about SourceLink in the exhibition area and available to connect with any friends. We hope to see you there!

SourceLink will be at InBIA’s Annual Conference in Chicago, IL April 12-15, 2026. We are planning a special SourceLink affiliates event. For a discount, register using the Ecosystem Partner Referral ticket and enter SourceLink in the registration form. We look forward to connecting with friends. Get in touch! Contact kmarkley@joinsourcelink.com. 

MI Small Business Helper Continues to Expand 

MI Small Business Helper continues to grow! As of this month, they now have nearly 100 business support organization profiles in their Resource Navigator. In addition, they added a Holiday Shopping Guide to their community calendar tagging holiday shopping events. We love seeing the momentum and growing support for Michigan small businesses. 

IEDC’s State of the Field Report 

IEDC has recently released their State of the Field report. Developed from nearly 700 survey responses, advanced demographic analysis, and integrated quantitative and qualitative insights, the report offers a clear view of how practitioners define and deliver economic development across diverse communities, organizations, and geographies, while establishing a strong baseline for benchmarking and strategic planning. Be sure to check it out! 

Conductor's 2026 ESO Event 

Conductor is hosting their ESO Summit, where Arkansas’s Entrepreneur Support Organizations come together to share ideas, forge connections, and strengthen the statewide ecosystem. This event is designed for those who are passionate about helping entrepreneurs succeed—especially in rural and underserved communities. Check out the event here.

Klamath IDEA Award Grant 

Congrats to Klamath IDEA! ROI funds will expand youth entrepreneurship programming in partnership with the high school, increase the availability of resources and communication networks across the county, and build out and implement an ecosystem sustainability plan that includes establishing a bench of mentors and pitch coaches.  

New Book from SaveYour.Town

Deb Brown, Co-Founder of SaveYour.Town, has released her latest book "From Possibilities to Reality: Save Your Small Town". Through her captivating storytelling, Deb brings to life the inspiring journeys of everyday people who have successfully reshaped their small towns. Be sure to check it and check out Co-Founder Becky McCray's book "The Idea Friendly Guide" on their website here.

New Communications Platform for SourceLink Affiliates

For years we've been looking for a private social media platform so SourceLink affiliates can communicate with each other. Starting next month, we will host our own private page as part of the ESHIP Commons. Our soft launch will take place during the SourceLink Affiliate User Conversation on Wednesday, February 25. Be sure to attend to learn more! In the meantime, create your user account on ESHIP Commons to connect with peers and the ESHIP Network.  

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, such as Alaska SBDC Director, Director of Halloran Lab of Entrepreneurship, and multiple Right to Start opportunities. 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.

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.

Click on the icons above to find out how SourceLink can help you strengthen your entrepreneurial community.

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