Creating Jobs: Encouraging Entrepreneurship

Information◦ Business Intelligence◦ Business Plan

Technical/Moral Support◦ SCORE, SBDCs, Peer Counselors

Financing◦ Conventional Loans, Angel Networks, Venture

Capital Marketing

◦ Key role for Chambers in assisting start ups

Economic Gardening◦ Nurturing start up and growing businesses by

providing needed data◦ Littleton, Colorado was the genesis of the

concept and still the “Master Gardner”◦ Businesses can identify markets, determine

locations and even access mailing labels for likely customers

◦ Business Tools is an easy way for Chambers to “plant”

copyright©2007 Greater Grand Junction Area Chamber of

Commerce www.gjchamber.org

Provide onsite pooling of resources (phones, copiers, loading docks)

Onsite counselors available to assist with problem solving

Typically offering rental at below market rate with a “graduation” requirement

Federal Way Chamber just launched one with grant funding…ask Tom for details

Business peers act as a Board of Directors to each other

“Discovery 9” is a new twist utilizing unemployed small group to work together to identify opportunities

Chamber member professional service types offering one hour “free” sessions with start up firms

copyright©2007 Greater Grand Junction Area Chamber of

Commerce www.gjchamber.org

Business Boot CampsLeads GroupsOpen Coffee ClubBusiness Fitness Club (classes and workshops)

…and more

You may already be helping create new jobs by encouraging entrepreneurs…so SAY SO!

Lots of resources online: WACE, IEDC, National Incubator Assn.

Innovation and Invention have been and will continue to be the keys to future economic success…