PCRD

Baby Boomers Migration and Rural America

A very large cohort of population, the so called baby boomers, people born between 1946 and 1964 will be entering their retirement phase. In doing so, they will create migration pathways, which will affect the rural America. A recent study by the Economic Research Service (ERS), USDA, says that the baby boom migration will favor rural America because of the scenic amenities and the low cost housing. If this generation follows similar migration patterns, the rural population age 55-75 will increase by 30 percent between 2010 and 2020 according to the ERS. The baby boomers now aged between 45 and 63 is a large cohort of 83 million people, almost a quarter of the total U.S. population. Historically, this will be the largest cohort going out of the labor force. They have demonstrated affinity for the small town and rural areas. Such migration patterns will bring significant socio-economic changes and opportunities for the small towns and rural areas. Read the article and related research here

US Dept. of Commerce Creates New Innovation Office

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke announced his plans to create a new Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship within the Department of Commerce.  The office will focus on the following areas:

• Encouraging Entrepreneurs through Education, Training, and Mentoring
• Improving Access to Capital
• Accelerating Technology Commercialization of Federal R&D
• Strengthening Interagency Collaboration and Coordination
• Providing Data, Research, and Technical Resources for Entrepreneurs
• Exploring Policy Incentives to Support Entrepreneurs and Investors

In addition the Commerce Secretary launched a new advisory council to support the new Innovation and Entrepreneurship Office entitled the: National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Both substantial new initiatives will help leverage the entire federal government on behalf of promoting entrepreneurship in America.

Posted by Don Koverman

2009 Indiana Cooperative Summit – Register Today!

You won’t want to miss the 2009 Indiana Cooperative Summit! Scheduled for November 10 at the Hendricks County Fairgrounds in Danville, Indiana; this dynamic meeting will serve as a showcase for the power of cooperatives and the “cooperative advantage”.  For more information call 317-692-7707 or to register online go to: www.icdc.coop .

Posted by Don Koverman

50 Most Innovative Companies

The 50 most innovative companies in the world according to BusinessWeek magazine.  Interesting note that half are headquartered in the United States.

Posted by Susan Davis

Regulate Venture Capitalists?

Congress is heating up discussions on new legislative proposals that would require private pools of investment capital to be registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This is being prompted as an attempt to limit further risks to the financial system. More here.

Posted by Susan Davis