A Formula for Downtown Success
In our work across North America communities large and small generally identify downtown revitalization as a priority. These communities have passionate residents, leaders and business owners who are committed to finding a way forward with main street renewal. At e2 we've begun to curate lessons learned, promising strategies and remarkable case stories. This work has led us to commit to paper our emerging formula for downtown renewal for rural and micropolitan communities.

Please check out our latest blog to download the complete thought paper. We'd love to know what you think about this topic!
Don Macke
Community Prosperity Initiative
The e2 team launched a #ProsperityInitiative in Indianapolis on Aug. 27 with an institute for members and partners of the Indiana Philanthropy Alliance. Ten foundations brought teams to learn about e2's Community Prosperity Framework and engagement practices. Teams worked on action roadmaps to use as a guide for strategic development in their communities.
e2 Institutes
This month at the Rural Rise 2019 Summit in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Erik Pedersen, Vice President of Entrepreneurship at NetWork Kansas, will make a presentation about the new generation of e2 Institutes. Can't make the Summit? Download the presentation or contact Don Macke via email at don@e2mail.org for more information.
Field News
How a rural Virginian town is using entrepreneurship to boost its local economy. This article is part of a placemaking article series focusing on best practices for economic growth and development. This particular story focuses on Wytheville, Virginia, and the community’s investment in local entrepreneurship through mentorship and networking.

Legislators seek answers to struggles of rural groceries. North Dakota commissioned an interim legislative study to better understand how they can support rural grocery stores and avoid having rural food deserts.

Small Businesses Stay Strong in America's Heartlands. SCORE reports that rural areas maintain a slightly higher level of entrepreneurship than urban and suburban areas and are slightly more profitable but known barriers like access to capital remain.

 NDSU Extension Energizing Entrepreneurs conference. Registration is open for this conference in Garrison, ND on Oct. 1-2 featuring speakers to inspire and energize aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business owners and community members.

Reimagining the Rural West workshop series. The Western Governor's Association workshop series kicks off Oct. 1 in Fargo, ND to explore opportunities and challenges facing rural communities and to share best practice solutions from other states and communities in the West. Please register here.

New Adventures of Older Entrepreneurs. Read how the trend toward older entrepreneurs can transform Main Street economics and how to support them for success.
Events
Annual National Conference for Growing Community Foundations
Hosted by the Kansas Association of Community Foundations. Don Macke, along with Imagene Harris, Network Kansas and Tim Penny, Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, will present "The Community Foundation and Entrepreneurship Connection," Oct. 27-29, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri.
NREDA 2019 Annual Conference
The National Rural Economic Developers Association annual conference is Nov. 6-9, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. Don Macke is presenting at the conference.