Rural Entrepreneurial Development (RED) Program

About the Institute

The Rural Entrepreneurial Development (RED) program has been established to encourage and support the development of small and medium enterprises in Kansas’s rural counties. It draws from a range of resources to serve the needs of rural entrepreneurs, community and economic leaders, and state policy makers.

Background

The (RED) program grew out of the notion that entrepreneurs and small-to-medium sized businesses play a significant role in the economic well-being of rural communities. Today businesses with fewer than 50 employees account for more than 95% of total rural firms and have experienced significant job growth during the past four years.

Data has shown that employment growth in these smaller businesses continuously out-performed agriculture and manufacturing industries. While these industries will remain essential to rural economies, they are expected to produce fewer and fewer jobs in the years ahead. Rural communities will thus become increasingly dependent on local entrepreneurs for their future success.

The Management Development Center has established the (RED) program out of the belief that entrepreneurial development - supporting rural Kansas entrepreneurs who wish to create and grow their own businesses - can become a critical part of revitalizing the state's economy.

Program objectives

The (RED) program is committed to achieve the following objectives:

• Promoting self-employment as an important basis for employment and income in rural Kansas
• Sustaining entrepreneurial companies - new and existing - that can grow and generate jobs and wealth in rural communities
• Developing a culture in rural communities that considers entrepreneurship as a viable option for economic opportunity
• Improving the health and vitality of the small business community in rural areas

Program components

The (RED) program, in conjunction with other stakeholders, addresses the following components to advance rural entrepreneurship development:

• Statistical information:
• Database on entrepreneurship and business activity
• Outreach activities:
• Focus group discussions with rural entrepreneurs
• Interacting with business and economic development specialists
• Partnership:
• Kansas Department of Commerce
• Kansas business resource providers
• Educational and training opportunities:
• Rural entrepreneurs and local business service providers
• Informational tools:
• Development of applicable websites
• Telephone 'help line' staffed by small business experts
• Business financing:
• Highlighting available financing opportunities 
• Technology assistance:
• Providing information technology assistance, i.e., internet training
• Policy issues:
• Health insurance
• Tax structures and incentives packages
• Special needs of female and minority businesses

Staff

• Program coordinator
• Program assistant
• Graduate assistant