'Entrepreneurship' is defined as "the process of organizing, managing, and assuming the risks of a business or enterprise for profit."
This concept goes a long way in sustaining the economic vitality of any area. Entrepreneurship is the method by which ideas evolve into small businesses--how concepts transform into products and services--and ultimately how small businesses grow into larger ones. With this growth comes a healthy local economy and a stimulated circulation of goods and services. Thus, by organizing, managing, and taking on risks, entrepreneurs not only bring profit to themselves: they bring profit to the community.
Entrepreneurs and the small businesses they develop can do a varety of things for a community, including:
Cultivating entrepreneurial endeavors in the community requires a holistic approach to progress by focusing on outreach, education, and resource coordination. Just as it takes a village to raise a child, a small business can be helped by taking advantage of the services offered by many local resources. By working in partnerships and building multidimensional capacity, we aim to provide the best assistance available to businesses looking to develop in Saline County, which we think will improve economic potential and the quality of life in the region.
Small businesses play an important role in Saline County, and statistically provide a higher percentage of jobs and business concerns than in nearby areas. Making sure that we capitalize on the power of entrepreneurship to keep our economy healthy is a top priority.
Giving--whether of time, resources, money, or donations--is an important part of a prosperous community, and local businesses historically contribute to a large portion of the amount of donations required to build new projects and opportunities. A big part of being a good entrepreneur is being a good citizen, operating both ethically and with compassion. The philanthropic contributions of entrepreneurs and businesses of all sizes fuel the availability of nonprofit organizations, local educational programs, and even MSDC itself (including this website)!
At MSDC, relocations and big-business expansions are not our only concern. We also nurture and capitalize on the skills, creativity, and determination of people developing business ideas that haven't started, are small scale, or are already existing. Small businesses give the community a sense of pride and character. By supporting our neighbors and fellow community members in their endeavors, we hope to encourage a shared cultural bond that becomes a primary aspect of how we as a larger community identify ourselves. If you are an entrepreneur, we welcome you to call on our expertise and aid. If we can help you, we will, because we know that your success translates into a brighter future for Saline County.
Our mission is clear: To discover, develop, and direct entrepreneurial opportunities in Saline County that increase economic potential and citizen involvement.