Entrepreneurship is a key component of the Iowa Lakes Corridor region's overall economic development plan.  The purpose of our entrepreneurial initiative - economic gardening - is to become recognized as the most entrepreneurial region in Iowa.

Key components of this long-term effort include: education and training opportunities, networks of entrepreneurs, access to information, access to capital, access to expertise through mentoring, and an ongoing focus of improving the quality of life and the quality of places in the Iowa Lakes Corridor.  Information about each of these components can be found in this section of our website and well as under "Play."

Our entrepreneurial efforts have been increased signifcantly following the tremendous success and momentum built as a result of the Okoboji Entrepreneurial Institute.  In 2008, the Corridor started a series of entrepreneurial efforts targeting young people (middle-school and high school) in the region.  The first Be Your Own Boss seminar was held on April 9th in Spencer with over 200 high school students attending, the second seminar was held November 5th at Arrowwood Resort in Okoboji with over 280 students from 12 schools participating.

During the week of August 3rd, along with the third annual Okoboji Entrepreneurial Institute, middle-school students from the area participated in the first Entrepreneurial Academy.  Two-days of high school teacher training were held in June for teachers in the region interested in adding entrepreneurship learning in their existing curriculum. 
The Corridor is happy to again be offering the University of Nebraska's Food Entrepreneur Seminar: From Recipe to Reality.  The day-long seminar will be held on Saturday, Feb. 28th at King's Pointe Resort in Storm Lake.  Click on the following link for more details and a registration form.  Register for the Food Entrepreneur Assistance Seminar

A testimonial from the Food Entreprenur Seminar held in February 2007:  "As first time food entrepreneurs, my husband and I did not have a clear plan as to what direction to go in to bring our product to reality.  But thanks to the Iowa Lakes Corridor for holding a Food Entrepreneur Seminar with the University of Nebraska, we came home from the seminar with a clear idea on what we needed to do to move forward and are now about to bring our product to market.  The University provided very useful materials and gave a strong presentation that was full of valuable information on the food industry and how they help assist in your projects in a step by step plan.  It’s been two years now and all along, we have been working with the University of Nebraska and have had assistance with the Iowa Lakes Corridor and our product is now about to come to reality!  The whole experience we’ve endured with both the University and the ILC could not have gone any better.  They’ve made our journey one that has gone very smoothly and has been enjoyable too.  With their professional insight and assistance, we credit them for where we are today."               

                - Tammi and Mike Heuck

Additional networking and training opportunities are being created regularly.  For more information, please contact us at 712.264.3474.