Connecting Minnesota’s entrepreneurial communities

Supporting local entrepreneurs requires a mix of creative community action, shared knowledge, and access to the right resources. Extension’s community economics team facilitates these vital connections through its Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities (CEC) offerings, bringing together Minnesota towns to share successful models and bridge the gap between local innovation and new ideas.

Annual conference

Each year, Extension’s community economics team partners with a host community and statewide partners to hold a two-day conference showcasing entrepreneurship in rural Minnesota. This event moves beyond the traditional conference center, placing breakout sessions directly within local businesses to immerse attendees in the host community’s unique economic and civic landscape.

What to expect

Through a mix of keynotes, mobile workshops, and peer exchanges, you can expect to:

• Hear directly from the host community’s entrepreneurs and leaders about how they shape their local business landscape.
• Connect and learn from peers across the state who are building support for entrepreneurs in their own communities.
• Access expert resources from state and national providers to expand your town’s toolkit of data, funding, and technical assistance.

Who should attend?

Sessions are designed for local leaders, including economic development professionals, decision-makers, entrepreneurs, and community champions, who are working to improve the entrepreneurship support system in their community. 

Visit our conference page for more information on upcoming events and explore programs from prior years.
 

Field trips showcasing supportive communities 

Our field trips provide a deep dive into community-focused initiatives that support entrepreneurship in Greater Minnesota. These one-day events spotlight exemplary projects in communities that may not be able to host the full annual conference but have powerful stories to share.

Through local presentations, peer discussions, and visits to businesses and community spaces, Connecting Entrepreneurial Community field trips showcase the collective efforts that help small-town entrepreneurs thrive. This firsthand experience allows attendees to learn, get inspired, and connect over shared goals while providing host communities a platform to showcase their work and exchange ideas with peers from across the state.