Duluth,
Minn. – In its recently released 2007-2008 Progress Report, the
John S. and James L. Knight Foundation highlights the newly
formed Greenstone Group initiative, which is designed to support
entrepreneurs in Northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin who
wish to significantly grow their companies.
The Knight
report describes the Greenstone Group as “a customized approach
to building the region’s economy on the shoulders of local
entrepreneurs and small businesses.” It is one of only four
Knight initiatives selected to be featured in the report.
To see (and
comment on) Knight’s online progress report on the Greenstone
Group, both text and video, go to
http://progressreport.knightfoundation.org/2007/stories_of_transformation/detail.dot?id=328811.
The
Greenstone Group, an initiative of the Northeast Entrepreneur
Fund, was publicly launched in January 2008. Currently more than
20 area business owners (from the Twin Ports, Iron Range and
North Shore communities) are participating in Greenstone “growth
groups,” coach-led teams working on individualized strategies
for improving business performance and entrepreneurial
development. Business owners interested in the Greenstone Group
should contact Jerry Peterson, director of the Greenstone Group,
jerryp@greenstonegroup.org, 218-726-4870.
About the
Northeast Entrepreneur Fund
The Northeast
Entrepreneur Fund helps people start and grow successful small
businesses. It provides training, consulting and financing to
emerging and small businesses in northeast Minnesota and
northwest Wisconsin.
Since 1989, NEF
has helped start, stabilize or expand more than 1,000
businesses; helped create or retain more than 2,500 jobs;
provided $7.5 million in loans to nearly 500 businesses; and
served 9,000 people through its training, consulting and lending
programs. More than 85% of business owners who receive
assistance from NEF are still in business two years later.
The Greenstone
Group, a new 10-year initiative of NEF, seeks to foster a
culture of entrepreneurship and strengthen entrepreneurs through
group-based learning, peer support and access to a variety of
business services.
To learn more,
visit
www.entrepreneurfund.org.