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Ask the Network <br /> <br />,i! <br /> <br /> I <br /> i <br />,I <br /> I <br /> <br />Q. What are the key elements and issues <br />of incubator development in rural areas? <br /> <br />Rural and small town incubators have <br />unique problems and prospects. Among <br />the problems are that smaller areas often <br />lack the economic development infrastruc- <br />ture and leadership to support an incubator <br />project. An economic development plan <br />may be elusive, its goals unarticulated. <br />Small banks are more conservative than <br />city banks and may eye incubators with <br />skepticism. Venture capital is harder to find. <br />Rural organizations have less experience <br />developing the kinds of proposals that win <br />government grants and loans and many of <br />them reject an expanded role for govern- <br />ment in the local economy. Even when <br /> <br />small business development is a local goal, <br />an abundant pool of entrepreneurs seems <br />unlikely; the economic base, at first glance, <br />looks limited. <br /> <br />A closer look reveals that rural areas may <br />have greater advantages and opportunities <br />for incubator development than first ex- <br />pected. As long as there is some enthusi- <br />astic leadership to spearhead the project, <br />even without a full-time economic develop- <br />ment organization, civic groups can be a <br />rallying force for a project. Smaller commu- <br />nities, while they may have fewer re- <br />sources, are also closer knit and can <br />generate enormous support for a project. <br />There is a smaller community of people to <br />persuade, and probably fewer regulations <br />and stumbling blocks in the local com- <br />munity. There is generally an adequate and <br />affordable stock of old space, the classic <br />downtown department store or school, and <br />a quality of life that can become a market- <br />ing tool. <br /> <br />For more information contact the Office of <br />Private Sector Initiatives, 1441 L Street NW, <br />Room 720A, Washington, DC 20416, at <br />(202) 653-7880. <br /> <br />If you would like to continue receiving The <br />Incubator Times, please send in the coupcr~ <br />below.* <br /> <br />Name <br /> <br />Organization <br /> <br />Address <br /> <br />Phone # <br /> <br />Return To: <br />Editor, Incubator Times <br />SBA -- Office of Private Sector Initiatives <br />,1441 L Street NW, Room 720A <br />Washington, DC 20416 <br /> <br />*Future issues will not be sent unless <br />coupon is returned. <br /> <br />U.S. Small Business Administration <br />Washington, DC 20416 <br /> <br />Official Business <br /> <br />Penalty for Private Use, $300 <br /> <br /> First-Class Mail <br /> Postage & Fees Paid <br />U.S. Small Business Administration <br />Permit No. G-82 <br /> <br /> I <br /> I <br />,I <br /> I <br /> <br />CITY OF RANSEY <br />LLOYD G SCHNELLE <br />CITY MANAGER <br />15153 NOHTHEN BLVD~ <br />RAMSEY <br /> <br />NW <br /> <br />55303 <br /> <br /> <br />