DAVE HENGEL COLUMN: Supporting our small businesses and entrepreneurs – Bemidji Pioneer
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Economic development is a very misunderstood craft. One of the greatest misunderstandings is the belief that economic development organizations like Greater Bemidji only work to recruit new, large companies to their communities, giving little to no attention to the small businesses and business startups that dot their community’s main streets and neighborhoods.
In the case of Greater Bemidji at least, this is simply not accurate. In fact, the vast majority of the work we do at Greater Bemidji is to support the small, locally-owned businesses and startups of our area.
For example, during the coronavirus pandemic, Greater Bemidji provided more than $3 million in financial support to over 300 local businesses, none of which were large businesses. Most had less than five employees and many were recent startups.
With the support of the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and our partners and investors, Greater Bemidji recently made the commitment to take its support for small business owners to a new level by providing free support and resources.
I would encourage business owners and entrepreneurs to take advantage of the resources Greater Bemidji has available to help them succeed and prosper in our region.
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What are those resources? There are many. We have worked hard to build up our resources so we can be a one-stop shop for small businesses and startups. Some of the free resources we offer include:
These are just a few of the free resources available to our region’s small businesses and entrepreneurs. If you have a need, Greater Bemidji likely has a resource to support you.
Greater Bemidji is not alone in our commitment to meet the needs of our small businesses and startups. We work closely with other like-minded organizations such as 4-Directions Development in Red Lake, Leech Lake Financial Services in Cass Lake and the Northwest Minnesota Foundation’s Small Business Development Center to share resources and ensure that our small business owners have the best support available right here at home.
This month, you will have a couple of opportunities to take a test run of the resources the LaunchPad offers.
Visit the LaunchPad’s website at www.launchpadbemidji.com to view and sign up for these and all the events throughout the year.
To the small business owners and entrepreneurs in our community, you are important to us. Our locally-owned small businesses not only support our economy, but they give our town its sense of character.
Greater Bemidji is here to serve you and help you be successful in the greater Bemidji area. To our community members, show your support by shopping local. It’s an easy and effective way to support our local community.
Dave Hengel is the executive director of Greater Bemidji Economic Development. He can be reached at (218) 444-5757 or dhengel@greaterbemidji.com .
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