While we all hope that the COVID-19 Pandemic and associated recession ends quickly and a new normal emerges this summer, chances of this happening appear less likely with the threat of virus resurgence, prolonged economic recession and now rising civil unrest. While coping with the stress of the current crisis, it is not too soon to think about how we restart our economies, continue with smart economic and social recovery, and how we can grow more resilient economies and communities into the future. Our more than 40 years of work throughout North America has led us to believe that fostering grassroots entrepreneurship is foundational to a successful restart, recovery, and resiliency campaign. This month our paper, Planning for a Post Pandemic World, Lessons from the Great Recession and Other Economic Crises, provides new thinking on how Americans can make themselves whole, vision and grow more equitable and better economies, and create opportunities for all who live in our communities.

Last month we featured a story of resiliency related to the entrepreneurial people and ecosystems in Kansas. In just two weeks, the Hospitality Industry Relief Emergency (HIRE) Fund was created and deployed in response to the pandemic shutdown in Kansas’ hospitality industry. This month, we are pleased to share another Kansas initiative, the Restart Kansas County Loan Fund , aimed at mobilizing bridge capital for Kansas businesses to survive during the pandemic until consumer demand returns. This initiative also provides critical infrastructure to better meet long-term needs of counties with additional loan funds to address future emergency situations. Check out both of these stories to learn how powerful an entrepreneurial ecosystem can be to restart, recover and build more resilient communities and economies.