Supporting Entrepreneurs and Small Business: A Tool Kit for Local Leaders

"The National League of Cities (NLC) conducted a multi-year effort to better understand how local governments can support growth in small businesses, startups and entrepreneurs, building off of research and identification of innovative local practices.... The tool kit includes examples of entrepreneur and small business support programs ranging from regulatory improvement to intensive university partnerships in cities from small to large. Across these differences, the programs all model common themes of leadership, communication and partnerships. It is our hope that the strategies and lessons learned, presented here, will help city leaders better support entrepreneurs and small businesses in their own communities and shed additional light on how local governments contribute to business growth" (Foreward). (Abstractor: Author)

• "While small businesses as a whole look incredibly diverse, research suggests entrepreneurs and businesses move through stages of development that reflect a high level of uniformity of management, technical, financial and challenges. • To support entrepreneurs and small businesses, local leaders should first look to the tools within their own leadership, communication and regulations. • Local leaders need to provide an accessible way for businesses to interface with regulations and permitting. • To support entrepreneurs and small businesses, outside organizations with technical experience, resources and relationships are essential" (p.7). (Abstractor: Author)

• Last Updated:
• Created:
• Resource Publication Date: 2011
• Author(s): McConnell, Katie J.; McFarland, Christiana; Common, Brett
• Organizational Author(s): The National League of Cities: Center for Research and Innovation
• Funding Source: Funding source not identified
• Resource Availability: Publicly available
• Posted by: Wesley Peterson
• Posted in: Workforce System Strategies