UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Northeast Regional Center For Rural Development Will Sponsor A One-day Workshop As Part Of An Effort To Create A National Rural Entrepreneurship Coalition. The Workshop Will Be Held At The Days Inn Penn State In State College On Wednesday, July 27, From 9:30 A.m. To 3:30 P.m.

Supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Washington State University with grants from the W. K. Kellogg Foundation and Farm Foundation, the "Pennsylvania Listening Session" is one of a series of regional workshops to foster a national dialogue about rural entrepreneurship. Northeast Regional Center Director Stephan Goetz, professor of agricultural and regional economics in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, says the coalition is expected to fill a much-needed niche and complement the USDA's current rural development assistance programs.

"We’re looking at job creation in all sectors of the rural economy, from value-added food processing to Internet-based service and technology jobs," Goetz says. "As off-shoring accelerates under globalization, rural communities increasingly have to look to entrepreneurship if they wish to maintain their employment bases. These listening sessions are a critical first step in creating the networks and scale economies that are required for regions to develop dynamic and prosperous local businesses."

Sessions are being held in various locations around the country into the fall. Washington State University will help coordinate the myriad of rural development efforts underway across the United States into a single, nationwide coalition for rural entrepreneurship, which in turn should spur economic growth and create jobs. More than 142 organizations in 44 states will come together in these groups to share ideas and organize the coalition.

"There is an extraordinary level of expressed demand and interest in issues associated with rural entrepreneurial research, education and training," says Goetz, "but to this point, the efforts have been decentralized and reflect local needs and possibilities rather than a national perspective. Our goal is to establish a national program to fund, strengthen and support the development of rural entrepreneurs and enterprises in rural areas."

The workshops also will identify new ideas and ways for universities and other organizations that support entrepreneurs to work with young people in rural communities and with aspiring and current entrepreneurs. The goal is to incorporate these ideas about what works into a new national program to support rural entrepreneurs and small business growth.

"This data and vision, gathered at the ground level from entrepreneurs across rural America, will present a clear and powerful case to those in government and industry that there is enormous desire and will to create and support entrepreneurship in rural communities," said Pamela Hearn, regional center business manager. "Our regional center will be viewed as an important resource to the organizations that have a real interest in entrepreneurship. The listening sessions provide an avenue for the land-grant system to better understand the needs of the folks on the front line."

The listening session will provide a forum for individuals from the private sector, nonprofit organizations, government and educational institutions to discuss what is currently working well in terms of support for rural entrepreneurship, and where further private and public investments would increase the effectiveness of rural businesses. Avenues for future regional networking and information sharing will be explored as a part of the national coalition.

For registration and other information, contact the Northeast Center at NERCRD@psu.edu or call 814-863-4656. The registration deadline is July 21.

The Northeast Regional Center for Rural Development is dedicated to improving economic competitiveness, diversity and adaptability of rural and small communities; facilitating the development of policies that enhance the well-being of rural people and small towns; increasing the community's capacity to deal with change; increasing social viability by enhancing the self-reliance of families and communities; and linking natural resource industries, including agriculture, with community and environmental resources. EDITORS: Contact Stephan Goetz at 814-863-4656 or NERCRD@psu.edu

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Writer-Editor: Gary AbdullahOffice 814-863-2708 FAX 814-863-9877