MEDC-IEDC Entrepreneurial and Small Business Course

Sheri Alsup’s Mansfield Community Betterment connections brought this announcement to local businesses and start-ups.

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The Missouri Economic Development Council (MEDC) has arranged for the International Economic Council (IEDC) to bring its Entrepreneurial and Small Business Development Strategies course to Blue Springs Missouri April 30th - May 1, 2009. MEDC worked with IEDC to bring the course to Missouri with the hope that economic and community developers in Missouri could take advantage of a more convenient and comparatively reasonable cost location.

Small businesses stimulate job creation, develop crucial innovations in both products and services, and promote the diversification of the economic base. Thus, it is crucial that communities and economic developers dedicate resources to developing and promoting new business startups and establish effective support systems. A community that meets the needs of its entrepreneurs increases its chances of job growth by small businesses, which translates into a more vibrant community. As large businesses downsize, a healthy business climate that supports smaller businesses will also help with the retention of skilled workers.

The course will identify the tools economic developers need to create a climate that caters to small businesses. In addition, the course will cover the characteristics of entrepreneurs and small business owners, the barriers they face, and how communities can promote their development.

This course will cover:

• Characteristics of entrepreneurs and small business owners
• Promoting small business development in your community
• Identifying and addressing the needs of entrepreneurs
• Providing technical assistance
• Growth potential for microenterprises
• Development of business incubators
• How to attract private investors and lenders
• Micro-lending programs, SBA programs, venture capital, and other innovative financing tools

There is a link to the MEDC web site (http://www.showme.org) that leads to the registration form. It is important for you to go to the MEDC web site so you can take advantage of the reduced attendance fee the IEDC offers to the host organization.

Jan Simon, Ex. Dir. Missouri Community Betterment

Summers @ Mizzou Build-A-Business Camp July 26-29, 2009

We received some information about the Build-A-Business Camp a couple days ago.  When something sounds interesting to you, contact the people and see if it can work for you.

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Applications are now available for the Summers @ Mizzou “Build-A-Business Camp” for young people ages 12-15 (Grades 6-9) interested in exploring entrepreneurship!

Build-A-Business Camp will help 4-H members and other youth discover and tap into their potential as the up and coming “entrepreneurial generation.” Youth participants will explore what it takes to be an entrepreneur, learn from 4-H members who have turned their projects into income, gain skills for planning and starting their own business, and make connections with community entrepreneurs and MU faculty.

The program will involve 3 days and 3 nights of hands- on activities on the University of Missouri Campus and in downtown Columbia, Missouri.

Camp dates are July 26-29, 2009. The cost is $260 for registrations before April 7th. Campers will be able to apply for minimum $100 scholarships to help offset the cost of the camp. A day camp option will also be available at reduced cost, with some smaller scholarships available. For more information, contact Teresa Bishop, Summers @ Mizzou Coordinator, at 573-884-0554, bishopta@missouri.edu or Adam Loftin, at 573-884-7929, acl7f4@mizzou.edu. For applications and additional info, please visit http://mo4h.missouri.edu/programs/summers/

Jan Simon, Ex. Dir. Missouri Community Betterment

Website Treasure Hunt Cheat Sheet for March 17, Lunch & Learn

We will have prizes for answers at the Lunch & Learn.  But, it will be difficult to be online to check this stuff out, Right?  So, we’ve sneaked you a cheat sheet that will let you look up some of the answers before Tuesday.

1. Can you name the Mansfield Area Chamber of Commerce Board and Officers? www.mansfieldchamber.com
2. Can you name Mansfield Community Betterments board and officers?  www.mansfieldcommunitycenter.org (same board)
3. Can you name Mansfield City Council Members? www.mansfieldmissouri.org
4. Can you name the current School board members www.mansfieldschool.net
5. What other links does the school’s website have listed on the front page? www.mansfieldschool.net
6. When is World League Wrestling going to be held in Mansfield and who’s fundraiser is it?     www.mansfieldcommunitycenter.org
7. What year did Whispering Oaks Winery open for business?  www.whisperingoakswinery.com
8. Picture of participant in children’s games on the home page of WilderDays-MansfieldMo.com.  What creature is pictured?   www.wilderdays-mansfieldmo.com
9. Who is the Mansfield City Clerk? www.mansfieldmissouri.org
10. What does a student membership cost at the Mansfield Historical Society Cost  www.mansfieldhistorical.org
11. According to The Wright County IDA’s website who are Wright County’s Current employers?  www.wrightcountymo.com
12. What is the price of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Country Cookbook? www.lauraingallswilderhome.com
13. Where is Pa’s Fiddle? www.lauraingallswilderhome.com
14. When is the Spring Planting Festival at Baker Creek Seed? www.rareseeds.com
15. Who is the High Sheriff of Bakersville? www.streetsofbakerville.com
16. What are the 2009 Performance Dates for Laura’s Memories? www.laurasmemories.com
17. How many years has OMP performed Laura’s Memories? www.laurasmemories.com
18. Where can you get a cabin, fish, and explore a cave on at the same location? www.mansfieldwoods.net
19. Name at least two cashiers that have served at the Bank of Mansfield according to their website? www.bankofmansfield.com
20. What year was the Bank of Mansfield Established? www.bankofmansfield.com
21. How many people have voted for Gene Cravens Field at frostedflakes.com? (handy link at www.mansfieldcommunitycenter.org)
22. According to Holman Howe’s website how long has Mansfield’s location served our community?  www.holmanhowmansfield.com

1.       Which website for a Mansfield business  offers coloring sheets for kids

1.       Lauraingallswilderhome.com

2.       MansfieldCommunityCenter.org

3.       Taylorrealestateservices.com

2.       What is the name of the dog pictured at www.barjdcommunications.com

3.       What bird is pictured on Mother Owl’s Choice website (www.motherowlschoiceozarks.com)

4.       Which business in Mansfield has a new blog with video posts?

1.       Engrave-A-Crete.com

2. BankofMansfield.com

3. MansfieldHomeCenters.com

Wilder Days Websites Keep You Posted

There are presently two websites and four blogs keeping folks updated and getting the news out there into CyberSpace.

WilderDay-MansfieldMo.com has updating information and an internal blog, Wilder Days - Mansfield plus a sister blog at Wordpress.com - Wilder Days

Sho-MeYourWheels.com is a new site that will feature the Car (and other mechanicals) Show on Sept. 20.  This is a BLOG site and has a sister blog at Missouri Wheels

There are links and places to sign up for email updates or subscribe to the blogs in all five spots!

Wilder Days and Quilt Memories

There are quilt photos at the Wilder Days website.  You can view the exquisite and intricate stitch art at WilderDays-MansfieldMo.com

Please tell your friends who may not be on the lists or be reading this blog yet.

Ozark Heritage Region Meeting Comes to OUR Region!

The Ozark Heritage Region is coming to Ava, March 19th, 2009. They will be holding their meeting at the Ava Super 8 starting at 10AM. Please mark your calendars; you need to see what OHR is doing for our communities. You might just be surprised!! Normally the meeting is held in West Plains Mo. this month the OHR is going to come to Ava in hopes that it will make it easier for the counties on this end of the regional area to attend

If you can attend, please RSVP to director@avachamber.org so they know how many people to plan on.

We received the information through communication from the Ava Chamber of Commerce.  We really appreciate both the efforts of the Ozarks Heritage Region to meet closer to us and the Ava Chamber of Commerce for helping organize the event.