Lessons from Silicorn Valley

Yes, that is correct.  SiliCORN Valley.  Otherwise known as Fairfield, Iowa, a town of nearly 10,000 that is becoming well known as the ‘Entrepreneurial Capital of Iowa‘.  This town has had over 4,000 jobs created and has attracted over $280 million in venture capital investment over the past 20 years.  Per capita income has TRIPLED in the same time frame and at the same time, Fairfield ranks 5th in the nation for philanthropic giving.  Essentially, they have turned the town into a giant incubator for entrepreneurs.

We have been putting a lot of emphasis on entrepreneurship over the past two years for exactly these reasons.  We want to encourage entrepreneurs to grow their business ventures in Yakima County and remain here as well.  Strengthening the support network for entrepreneurs is also a key factor to our Valley’s Entrepreneur Network.  Part of the success of Fairfield is due to networking, mentoring, and growing companies that are out of the ‘start-up’ phase.  We will continue efforts in these three areas to help ‘grow our own’ entrepreneurs in our area.

We are on the right track.  We have put numerous resources and effort into expanding our Entrepreneur Network.  There are tons of links on our website to business plan assistance, online training, financing your business and more.  Our local SCORE Chapter is also actively seeking new members that are willing to mentor up-and-coming entrepreneurs.  There are also many local resources to help small businesses whether it is the SCORE Chapter, your local Chambers of Commerce, the Small Business Development Center and Rural Community Development Resources.  Give me a call or email me if I can help match you up with a resource to fit your needs.