Page 167 - 1-Entrepreneurship and Local Economic Development by Norman Walzer (z-lib.org)

156 Craig Schroeder

New Mexico’s Business Spirit. The EBS mission statement is, “the public
and private sectors uniting to create an environment that encourages an en-
trepreneurial mindset, models and rewards entrepreneurial risk-taking, and
holistically supports the establishment and growth of small businesses”
(Martinez 2005).
During the past year, the EBS Youth Entrepreneur Director has built an in-
novative youth entrepreneurship support structure that is already demon-
strating impact. One innovative approach involves networking with estab-
lished entrepreneurial firms in the region to help youth create affiliated
branch businesses. The group has planned and led several community fo-
rums to help adults better connect with youth and the issues they care
about. The effort also connects youth to their respective Spanish and His-
panic heritages to build bridges and respect for the different cultures in the
communities that EBS serves.
A three-day EBS You’re the Boss Conference was held in February 2006 in
Española, New Mexico, at Northern New Mexico College (YoungBiz Hold-
ing USA Ltd. n.d.). Twenty educators were trained and certified in the
YoungBiz youth entrepreneur curriculum during the event. The educators
will teach the curriculum to students in seven school districts and in after-
school organizations, such as 4-H, beginning in 2006 and 2007 (YoungBiz
Holding USA Ltd. n.d.). 5
Young entrepreneurs who show the most initiative will attend a Youth
Entrepreneur Summer Camp and enter a business plan competition. The
winners will receive EBS support in developing businesses. This program is
well on its way to helping youth forge stronger communities and new eco-
nomic opportunities in northern New Mexico.

Putting Green, New Ulm, Minnesota
Putting Green is the brainchild of a New Ulm area physician and her
6
family. In 1997 on a family outing, they discovered that mini-golf was a fun
activity that they all enjoyed together. On the way home the eight-year-old
son was imagining and drawing mini golf holes in the backseat. The mother
thought—”Aha! Wouldn’t designing and developing a mini golf course be
a great hands-on way to learn many disciplines—physics, math, art, and
business?” With her passion for education and a newfound interest in sus-
tainability—that what’s good for the environment and good for business
can be one in the same—sustainability education became a natural theme
for the park.
The physician explains, “The blend of lighthearted family fun with the se-
rious need to care for our environment seemed a perfect combination for
success.” Given what has been accomplished, it is apparent that many oth-
ers agree. Putting Green, Inc. formed in 2001 as a nonprofit organization,