HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity hosts its first Economic Development Summit FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 1,2011
Contact:Brit Fontenot
The City of Bozeman
Economic Development Liaison
bfontenot&bozeman.net
(406) 582-2258
City to host its first Economic Development Summit
Summitfeatures economicgardening'strategist and roundtable kstening sessions this month
BOZEMAN—The City of Bozeman will host its first-ever Economic Development Summit in a two-part
series,Feb. 17 and 24.
The Summit is designed to inform the area's small business operators of strategic moves the City is taking to
improve collaboration with the business community,to nurture an entrepreneur-friendly environment,and to
seek input from members of the business community as it moves forward.
In large part,the City is employing a strategy called`economic gardening,'a tactic designed to support and
grow local business before spending resources to recruit large companies to the area.Many of the Economic
Development Council (EDC) recommendations that the Commission approved last month are direct action
items derived from economic gardening principles.
Headlining the first day of the series is Dan Ripke,a national leader in economic gardening strategy and a
contemporary of the strategy's co-founder, Chris Gibbons. Ripke will present at 7 a.m. on Feb. 17 at the
Emerson Cultural Center's Crawford Theater.The event,which includes coffee and pastries,is free of charge
and open to the public;registration is requested by Feb. 15 to 587-3113 or
mkapoes kprosperabusinessnetwork.org.
Ripke will address the importance of three key facets to a successful economic gardening program:providing
critical information to businesses,investing in a functional infrastructure that contributes to a high quality of
life,and encouraging innovation through active connections.
"As the EDC,we felt it important to be proactive and have an open dialog with small business owners on the
work we've been conducting. We hope they will be pleased and feel that it is in their best interest," said EDC
Chair Chris Westlake.
As a follow-up to Ripke's presentation,the EDC will host roundtable discussion groups at 7:00 a.m.on Feb.
24 at the Best Western Gran Tree Inn;these discussion groups are also open to the public and refreshments
will be offered free of charge. Registration is requested by Feb. 21 to 587-3113 or
mkapoes&prosperabusinessnetwork.org.
"It is important for small businesses to be aware of,and more importantly,to inform,the goals,objectives,
and metrics to which we will hold ourselves accountable. So,we put together this Economic Development
Summit series as an opportunity for them to participate."
Westlake added,the series "is also a great opportunity to promote `active connections'within the business
community,which are fundamental to achieving innovation and opportunity as a community. We are
hopeful for a good turnout and a productive,beneficial summit."
About the Speaker:Dan Ripke,a native of Northern California,holds a BS in international business,a BA
in French,and master's studies in business administration from California State University, Chico. He has
worked for the Center for Economic Development and the Northeastern California Small Business
Development Center since 1988,serving as director for the center's 21-county service region. In this
capacity,he provides economic development and planning technical assistance to over 20 percent of the state
of California. Dan is a member of the International Economic Development Council,the California
Association for Local Economic Development,and the National Association of Development Organizations.
Contact Dan at dripke @csuchico.edu or Tel: (530) 898-4598