Business & Entrepreneurship

  • Downtown of NH city

Building an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem


Entrepreneurs and small businesses are the backbone of our local communities and economies. We bring best practices and guidance for steps that communities can take to become friendly to entrepreneurs and innovators. Cooperative Extension will work with communities to engage entrepreneurs and innovators, identify areas of strength and opportunities, develop a plan and a framework to become more entrepreneur-friendly, and begin to tackle projects.


Economic Development 101

Empowering citizen volunteers and community leaders to play a direct role in strengthening the economy is important and impactful. The Economic Profile Program allows communities to identify local and regional economic assets and opportunities. This helps leaders prioritize the needs and implement effective strategies to strengthen a community’s economic base.

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Town office building

Economic Development Academy

The Economic Development Academy (EDA) is an experiential course for economic development practitioners and leaders. EDA is a multi-session learning event consisting of in-person learning, as well as online learning and coaching. The course format is designed for working professionals who want to deepen their understanding of community and economic development.

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open flag outside store

Economic Profiles

The Economic Profile allows communities to identify local and regional economic assets and opportunities, prioritize needs, and develop and implement effective strategies to strengthen the community's economic base. The process  results in the creation of an action plan and working groups to pursue that vision.

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outdoor dining area in downtown

Articles

This event was an opportunity for farmers who are looking to sell their products to meet local food buyers, and for food businesses seeking local prod... Learn More
The UNH President’s Embrace NH Tour included a stop in Franklin to feature the positive impacts of engaging the community. In 2015, Extension CED bega... Learn More
This position is based at Extension's Sullivan County office in Newport, N.H.
The Sullivan County Community and Economic Development field specialist, based in Newport, New Hampshire, will provide educational outreach, technical... Learn More
The University of New Hampshire is advancing sustainable and affordable energy technologies and facilitating knowledge and technology transfer that wi... Learn More
Research shows that rural communities in New Hampshire are innovating
Extension specialists have contributed to a new book called Building Rural Community Resilience Through Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Learn More
Extension connects makers, artists and innovators with resources and a peer-to-peer community
Ty Meier is an artist who has found a way to make a living using his craft. He’s also found a home at the nonprofit Making Matters N.H. — a makerspace... Learn More

Resources

As a result of increasing interest in craft breweries for community revitalization in New Hampshire, the Community and Economic Development team has p... Learn More
Population out-migration in New Hampshire has generated efforts focused on retaining and recruiting young adults. This population is essential to the ... Learn More
An entrepreneurial community is a community that intentionally acts to cultivate and support entrepreneurs. Focusing on building business and economic... Learn More
The Business Retention program promotes a thriving economy by helping communities identify the challenges and barriers to the survival and growth of l... Learn More
The Business Retention program promotes a thriving economy by helping communities identify the challenges and barriers to the survival and growth of l... Learn More
The Business Retention program promotes a thriving economy by helping communities identify the challenges and barriers to the survival and growth of l... Learn More