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, 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 has 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.  During the week of August 3rd, along with the 3rd Okoboji Entrepreneurial Institute, up to 32 middle-school students from the area will be participating in the first Entrepreneurial Academy.  Two-days of high school teacher training will be held in June for teachers in the region interested in adding entrepreneurship learning in their existing curriculum. 

Entrepreneurship is also important in existing companies and organizations.  The entrepreneurial spirit in your company and your community will be the focus of a half-day seminar on Thursday, June 5th at the Clay County Regional Events Center, 1:00 - 5:30 p.m..  Special presentations by Neal Thornberry, author of Lead Like an Entrepreneur: Keeping the Entrepreneurial Spirit Alive in the Corporation, and Erik Pages, founder of EntreWorks Consulting are planned.  Registration is open to the public at a cost of $100/person.  Click here for the registration form for this Entrepreneurial Leadership seminar.