Policy Innovations for Sustainable Entrepreneurship, a multi-state regional Roundtable sponsored by the Central Appalachian Network took place on Feb 8th & 9th at Walkersville VA. More than eighty economic development professionals met to consider the state and regional level policies that are needed to create effective systems to grow and support entrepreneurs in the Central Appalachian region. The Roundtable had these goals:

• Define and examine proven barriers to regional markets created by state borders;
• Develop a Regional White Paper supporting entrepreneurship as a viable economic development strategy for Central Appalachia;
• Intensify and expand the network to build long-term policy networks that will include ongoing policy discussion to move forward policies that support entrepreneurship and healthy communities; and
• Consider a multi-state pilot project for the region to demonstrate strategies for removing barriers for entrepreneurs.

Participants were exposed to the critical lessons learned from the Central Appalachian Network organizations and their work. Five key factors were presented: building on assets, using local solutions, investing in innovation, building regional markets and partnering with regional catalysts.

Keynote speaker, Brian Dabson stressed the necessity of regional networking in his talk, Networks, systems, strings, and Other Appalachian Futures. Michael Shuman, author of Going Local: Creating Self-Reliant Communities in the Global Age, offered the possibility of expanded local ownership including local stock markets as a way to ensure sustainable development. State teams discussed next steps in educating state legislators and expanding the network of individuals who want to continue to build a regional coalition of those who hope to strengthen the economy through entrepreneurship.

For more information contact Pat Dewees 740.593.4385 at the Voinovich Center for Leadership & Public Affairs.