Over the course of the years I’ve spent countless vacation days hanging out at some very charming towns where the rhythm of life seems to run at a different pace. I keep going back to those places every now and then with a good book and a mindset to let go and enjoy the moment. Days are long as nothing seems to really happen in these places, but somehow I always find myself recharged when I come back.
Well, I’m going back again, but this time I’m on a mission. I’m taking a few business plans, ideas, contacts, technology tools, even a moderate budget and I’m going with the intent to bring some of the big-city mentality of innovating to places that may not be used to it. I expect to come across people that will find this sudden change of pace motivating and will take the lead. If I can create one meaningful connection between this place and the city where I live, I will consider the mission a success. Then there will be other towns. Then there will be a global tour, a global culture tour.
In the ongoing discussion about the tension between ever-accelerating innovation on big cities and the craving for a slow urban way of life, I’m convinced that the best of both worlds can only be discovered when we mix them up good, and that’s exactly what I’m trying to do.
A recent article on BusinessWeek stated that some small towns are finally realizing the value of entrepreneurs and are creating local incentives to attract startups, creating a very interesting landscape for anyone thinking about launching a new venture.
cities are beginning to recognize entrepreneurs as a “third leg” of economic development, as important as retaining existing jobs and attracting large corporations. While startup meccas like the Bay Area offer concentrations of talent and investors, new companies there face plenty of competition for those resources, and the cost of doing business is high. In smaller cities, new businesses enjoy lower costs and a higher profile to attract workers, and may be able to get government incentives to create jobs.
A complete analysis of small cities across the United States was commissioned by BusinessWeek and their entire list can be found in their Best Small Cities for Startups, but here are the top performers based on number of startups per capita with an average of 5.5 startups per 1,000 inhabitants:
- Boulder, Colorado
- Doral, Florida
- Sandy Springs
- Boise City, Idaho
- Bozeman, Montana
- Bend, Oregon
- Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
- Franklin, Tennessee
- Fairfax, Virginia
Intrigued by the idea? Have any suggestions about places that could use this kind of exchange? Leave a comment.
Love your determination and vision in this. I want to know where you are going, and if you need someone to document your trip with perhaps some pictures
Go forth and startup!
But isn’t the essence of these towns their different pace and atmosphere? Are you sure you want to change that?
John: it’s been quite interesting to see the idea of the global culture tour evolve into something tangible. This is the year when it takes off. Jump onboard!
Eric: or should we say go far and startup?
Jean: Read back through the blog and you’ll find evidence that small cities and towns are begging to be rediscovered. Many of our assumptions about urban life may have been flawed. I’m just looking for ways to balance the game. Bring some of the city metabolism to other places that assume they could be nothing else but pretty postcards. However, I don’t claim to be able to change any place… just the few people that listen.