Page 156 - 1-Entrepreneurship and Local Economic Development by Norman Walzer (z-lib.org)

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The Difference Makers:

Entrepreneurial Young People

Craig Schroeder

A rapidly growing number of textbooks, software, games, and other re-
sources are available to teach entrepreneurship to young people, yet few re-
sources are available on integrating youth entrepreneurship into community
economic development strategies. This may be because youth entrepreneur-
ship is seen as outside the traditional definition of economic development,
or perhaps it is because educators and economic developers typically have
not worked together. But, for communities suffering from chronic and per-
sistent youth out-migration and economic distress, youth entrepreneurship
can be an important element in attracting more young people to stay or re-
turn and revitalize the community through entrepreneurial endeavors.
Therefore, this topic needs further exploration as a community-based strat-
egy that combines the resources of education and communities in the de-
velopment and support of entrepreneurial young people.
The Rural Policy Research Institute (RUPRI) Center for Rural Entrepre-
neurship has since 2003 focused on the topic of youth entrepreneurship
and career education tied to youth leadership and adult mentoring in a sys-
tems approach to youth engagement and community economic develop-
ment. This chapter explores the learning thus far on this community-based
approach and describes ways community leaders can work with educators
and other partners to engage young entrepreneurs and attract more young
people to stay or return to rural areas. Specifically, the discussion will pre-
sent observations on engaging entrepreneurial youth; discuss roles of
schools, community, and adult mentors in the development of entrepre-
neurial young people; illustrate several emerging best practices as commu-
nities embark on youth entrepreneurship as part of their economic devel-
opment game plan; and showcase young people with entrepreneurial

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