Equity in Rural Economic Development video - Open opportunity to more people

Equity in Rural Economic Development - Open opportunity to more people

You're hearing more about "equity" in economic development grants and programs. Luckily, there is a very simple approach you can adapt easily in even small and rural communities: Cut down the barriers to entry.

Find out how in this 23 minute video, available immediately.

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Before you write your next plan, include equity

Grants, programs and economic development consultants increasingly ask you to address equity and equitable economic development. Unfortunately, they're mostly written about cities, and can be hard to adapt for rural places.

You're going to learn how cutting down barriers to entry can improve equity, no matter how small your community.

Make your local economy more equitable by cutting down barriers to entry

You'll learn practical steps to improve everyone's chances as entrepreneurs, and you'll pull down barriers to entry for everyone.

You'll uncover how Anchor Square is building wealth through entrepreneurship. Photo via Anchor Square Facebook Page.

If someone says, "We don't really have diversity here" remind them that all rural communities include diverse people.

When we think about it, there is no way all these different people are going to have the same ability to get a loan, buy a building, or find someone to help them with their business accounting.

And the best way to help the widest possible group of people is to cut down the barriers to entry.

In this video, you'll get

Practical steps you can put into action right away to shape a more equitable future for your community.

Discover barriers that hold people back right now

What's standing in the way of people in your community? You might be surprised. You'll uncover the barriers hiding just out of sight.

Spread fairness

Hear how opening opportunities to one person can reach many more people as they spread fairness to their community.

Learn Deb's secrets to connect with anyone

How do you find and connect with people in different groups? How do you cross language barriers? Deb reveals how she uses a rural superpower: being neighborly.

Equity in Rural Economic Development - Open opportunity to more people

23 minute video
Available to watch immediately

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Why aren't people taking advantage of what you are offering? Do a barrier check.

Make sure you’re not unthinkingly adding barriers that don’t need to be there.

Do you really need to require individual liability insurance policies for someone to rent one of the tiny business spaces, or could you get a group policy instead?
Is a large deposit of the first and last month rent really necessary for the shared art galleries, or is it ok to just take it month by month?
Do you absolutely need to require a special license or background check for every temporary business at the festival, or is it ok to allow something just for a short time?

Compare these two entrepreneurship support events, and think about how you could cut down some barriers to entry.

A good start: Entrepreneur Day

Becky and her friends pulled down some barriers when they brought experts out to support entrepreneurs in Northwest Oklahoma. They held more than one event in more than one town. They helped people mix across groups, chose locations in accessible buildings, and set up informal chances to speak with experts from around the state.

But there were still barriers:
It was during the day on a weekday, entrepreneurs had sit and listen for hours, and had to follow the presentations that included a lot of jargon.

One bright spot: the panel of successful entrepreneurs shared their own stories, free of jargon!
Photo by Jeanne Cole

More open: EntreBash

Several partners in Iowa including Deb created a more open event. They also repeated their event several times in several towns and featured a successful entrepreneur to share their story.

By choosing an evening time, far more potential entrepreneurs could attend. It was informal, with no presentations to sit through. For those with language or learning barriers, an individual conversation can be easier to follow.

If your economic development planning includes a formal entrepreneur support event, think of ways you can add more informal elements or even start a separate event to be more equitable.

Build a fairer community

Throughout 2022, we're focused on helping you build a fairer, more unified community. With all the forces that feel like they're pulling us apart, we want to help local communities like yours join together better.

When you cut down the barriers to starting a business, you're treating all potential entrepreneurs more fairly.

You can trust SaveYour.Town's Becky McCray and Deb Brown to share practical advice for rural communities.

We are both small town entrepreneurs. We've worked and been trained in traditional economic, workforce and organization development. So we understand about writing plans, meeting grant requirements and extending opportunity to more people.

We developed the Idea Friendly Method out of our own personal experiences in business, agriculture, entrepreneurship, nonprofits and government.

This is not liberal, or conservative, or political at all. We’re trying to help you do something critically important for your community: help as many people as possible have a fair chance.

Get the full 23 minute video to watch on your own and share with others in your community.

This video is perfect for:

Indigenous, First Nations and Native Tribes, governments, and economic development organizations
Economic development, jobs development authorities, industrial development groups
Community development groups, extension, community futures, community foundations
Downtown groups, Main Street, merchants associations, retail groups
Chambers of Commerce, independent business alliances, business improvement groups, “local first” groups
Local and municipal governments, councils of governments
Community banks, credit unions, community cooperatives
Utilities, telcos, rural utility cooperatives

Not another tiresome webinar

Short, to the point video

Watch instantly on your schedule: anytime, on demand, starting now

Recorded so you can pause, stop, rewind or watch again immediately

You get personal access to Becky and Deb via message, email and comment. We do answer your questions personally!

Equity in Rural Economic Development - Open opportunity to more people

23 minute video

Available immediately - no waiting

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Is this video recorded so I can watch later?

Yes, the video is recorded, and you'll be able to watch it immediately as soon as you complete your purchase. You are welcome to watch the video more than once, start and stop, or go back and watch again. You're not limited to watching from a single computer or with just one group.

Can I get a copy of the slides?

You get a transcript plus an audio-only version for listening on the go. (We don't do slides very often, but if we do, we share them with you.)

What if I have questions?

You can ask questions two ways: in the comment box or via email. We always answer you personally. You can also share stories or examples you've seen. That helps everyone!

Will the video play on my computer? Or on my phone?

Either one! If you can watch a YouTube video, you can watch this video. That means you can use any device, any screen that can load a web page for you to login. Any PC, Mac, iPad, iPhone, Android phone or tablet, smart TV or TV with a streaming box or stick should work.
You don't need blazing fast internet.

Can I share the video with other people?

Yes! Once you’re registered, you can schedule more than one viewing so you reach as many people as possible. We encourage you to watch on your own or set up an in-person or virtual watch party.

How long should I make a watch party?

For a watch party, schedule 45 -50 minutes. You'll want that extra time to discuss what you watched and to network and talk with each other.

Who should I invite?

Your friends who love to do things with you
Visionaries like yourself
Downtown associations, Main Streets, chambers and economic developers
Positive thinkers and doers
Leaders and regular people
Community foundations and leadership groups
Youth groups, young entrepreneurs
Elected officials from your local municipalities, counties or tribes
Business with a community focus, like banks and utilities
People who care about your town

What people say about SaveYour.Town videos

This video stimulated lots of note-taking and conversation between the business owners gathered at my house. Deb and Becky gave us some new ideas and several excellent examples of known models. I think some of us are thinking of pivoting our summer’s plans after participating in Wednesday’s event. Thanks for a well-thought out presentation!

Jonya Pacey, Minnesota

What a TERRIFIC marketing Video. I had 20 businesses show up to watch and they all left with new ideas and an excitement to get back and start implementing! I’ve already had 5 businesses reach out in less than 2 hours after it ended, that are already putting your ideas into action.

Mandy Walsh, City of Lampasas, Texas

There are always great take-aways from the videos that can be put into place immediately. One of my favorites is changing your store's evening vibe (different music, lighting, etc.) because evening shoppers are not the same as day time shoppers.

Diane Moore, Wheaton, Illinois

Videos by SaveYour.Town are fun way to learn some no-nonsense alternatives to community inertia.

Clark Hoskin, Ontario

Equity in Rural Economic Development - Open opportunity to more people

23 minute video
Immediate access

Add to Cart