Strengthening Entrepreneurship and Building Leadership Capacity in Rural Communities

This article describes a potential model for other Extension programs across the United States that are looking for effective strategies to support and enhance community-based entrepreneurship. The University of Maine Cooperative Extension, in collaboration with other business-assist organizations, business owners, and municipal officials, organized the annual Washington County Business Conference and Marketplace. The overall goal of the conference was to improve the chances of success for existing and aspiring small business owners. A post-conference survey revealed that conference participants improved their business management skills; started, expanded, or improved a business; increased sales and profits; and made better business decisions

Reducing Home Heating Costs in One Maine County

Eighty-percent of Maine households heat their homes with fuel oil. Rising home heating costs are creating hardships for many lower income families. The Keep ME Warm Program provided homeowners with the means to reduce their home energy consumption. In Washington County, Extension used the train the trainer model to educate homeowners about energy conservation methods through trained volunteers. As a result, the program helped 164 households save on their heating bills and directly affected over 300 individuals. The train-the-trainer model was an ideal method for delivering effective energy education and could be used throughout the country

Strategic Partnerships That Strengthen Extension\u27s Community-Based Entrepreneurship Programs: An Example from Maine

This article explains how Extension can enhance and expand its nationwide community-based entrepreneurship programs by developing strategic partnerships with other organizations to create highly effective educational programs for rural entrepreneurs. The activities and impacts of the Down East Micro-Enterprise Network (DEMN), an alliance of three organizations with economic development missions in Maine, is used to showcase effective strategies that identify, create, and sustain strategic partnerships; build on their strengths; and overcome potential challenges. This Extension project was part of a statewide effort in Maine to build and strengthen networks of business service providers and improve service delivery to Maine\u27s entrepreneurs