• Providing business development services
• Developing and supporting new businesses and new jobs created by new businesses
• Establishing an entrepreneur network for internal support and information gathering

There is a need for the establishment of cultural awareness and diverse networks in our communities. The 2000 Census and the State of Minnesota Demographic Center reported that 51% of minority populations in south-central Minnesota are immigrants and by 2030 there is a projected increase of 117% in minority populations, compared to a 2.85% increase in majority population.

Developing businesses within refugee, immigrant and minority communities cannot be done in the traditional sense. The current system for developing businesses does not translate effectively into the refugee, immigrant and minority community. Nearly 80% of entrepreneurs from rural Minnesota reported they would be interested in small business development programs, but only 50% reported having used them and 30% said they didn't know if any programs were available or how to access them.  This disconnect is particularly difficult for refugee, immigrants and minorities who may not have extensive social networks due, in part, to language and cultural barriers.  Minnesota Center for Rural Policy and Development recommends that Small Business Development Centers extend and strengthen their capaicty and make themselves more visible to this populations.  The Partners for the Entrepreneur Doorway Project will assist in pulling all the networks together to serve the refugee, immigrants and minorities populations in Southern Minnesota.

Under the EDP entrepreneurs and consultants will discuss necessary concepts for creating a business plan: feasibility analysis, business and marketing development, marketing and advertising, financial analysis, projections and loan packaging, personnel/ human resources, organization and succession planning, technical issues and e-commerce, web page development and evaluation. Entrepreneurs will also have access to free seminars and training programs on subjects important to business owners, comprehensive business resource materials, database access for business research, and business loan opportunities.