“[C]reating jobs, jobs, jobs will take ideas,
ideas, ideas.”
So says today’s Business First op-ed on the
importance of entrepreneurship. Bob Saunders, chairman of Stonestreet One and chairman
of GLI’s EnterpriseCorp Advisory Board, penned the piece to highlight the impact
of new companies on our regional economy – and the importance of a business
climate that supports their success.
You can learn more about EnterpriseCorp’s strategy for expanding entrepreneurism
in Louisville at its Signature Event next Tuesday. Click here for complete
details and to register. In the meantime, here are some highlights from Bob’s
op-ed:
“A recent study of census data by the Kauffman
Foundation found the most common characteristic among job-creating firms was
not size, location or industry, but rather age. Yes, age. Companies less than
six years old account for nearly two-thirds of all jobs created in the United
States. And that number might be underrepresented because much of the job
growth at mature companies is accomplished through acquiring younger firms with
newer technologies. The truth is, since 1980, our country would have
experienced negative job creation if not for these young companies.
This is a critical statistic to keep in mind as
Louisville examines where to invest its time, resources, political capital and
energy during the coming decade. If our goal is to create jobs, jobs, jobs,
then our priorities must include creating the best possible environment in
which entrepreneurs can flourish.”
“Business leaders of all kinds, representatives
of our region’s universities, government officials and the next generation of
idea leaders must work together toward the same goal… After all, creating jobs,
jobs, jobs will take ideas, ideas, ideas. And for Louisville’s continued
growth, we don’t just need new businesses. We need citizens with new ways of
thinking and the drive to take on new ventures. Each of us has a role to play. Learn more at www.EnterpriseCorp.com.”
To read the complete article, click here or
check out page 35 of today’s Business First.