Clear Lake named as Small Business Community of the Year finalist

Clear Lake was among 10 statewide finalists  for the Iowa Small Business Administration’s (SBA’s) Small Business Community of the Year.  Announcement of the finalists is part of the SBA’s National Small Business Week events.

Clear Lake’s nomination for the honor was made by the North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and its North Iowa Small Business Development Center (SBDC).  The entity also 

nominated Floyd County, including Charles City, and it was also made a finalist for the honor.

Both nominees offer impressive stories of local focus upon supporting home grown, entrepreneurial success. Each models the emerging rural development strategy of “grow your own” small business success stories, according to Tim Putnam, director of the NIACC Pappajohn Center.  The two communities share an open partnering approach to leverage available resources through broad inclusion rather than re-inventing the wheel. Success in economic development and entrepreneurial support are team efforts.  Clear Lake and Charles City area also feature local leaders strongly advocating for entrepreneurship as an essential component of future community growth and success, he said.

“We’re committed to writing our own future in Clear Lake and not waiting to be saved by someone. Technology increasingly allows people to live where they want to and work with customers or clients wherever. We’re focused on supporting entrepreneurs who want the lake lifestyle with high speed, - Read More via e-Edition