In its recently released 2007-2008 Progress Report, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation highlights the newly formed Greenstone Group initiative, which is designed to support entrepreneurs in Northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin who wish to significantly grow their companies.
The Knight report describes the Greenstone Group as “a customized approach to building the region’s economy on the shoulders of local entrepreneurs and small businesses.” It is one of only four Knight initiatives selected to be featured in the report.
To see (and comment on) Knight’s online progress report on the Greenstone Group, both text and video, go to http://progressreport.knightfoundation.org/2007/stories_of_transformation/detail.dot?id=328811.
The Greenstone Group, an initiative of the Northeast Entrepreneur Fund, was publicly launched in January 2008. Currently more than 20 area business owners (from the Twin Ports, Iron Range and North Shore communities) are participating in Greenstone “growth groups,” coach-led teams working on individualized strategies for improving business performance and entrepreneurial development. Business owners interested in the Greenstone Group should contact Jerry Peterson, director of the Greenstone Group, jerryp@greenstonegroup.org, 218-726-4870.
About the Greenstone Group
The Greenstone Group, a new 10-year initiative of the Northeast Entrepreneur Fund, seeks to foster a culture of entrepreneurship and strengthen entrepreneurs through group-based learning, peer support, and access to a variety of business services.
Working with business, education and economic development partners, the Greenstone Group expects to build the region’s economy by targeting support and resources toward 500 entrepreneurs in the region who are committed to growing their businesses. Groups of 6-10 business owners will be teamed with professional business coaches and a coordinated network of service providers committed to providing the right services at the right time.
About the Knight Foundation
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation invests in journalism excellence worldwide and in the vitality of the Twin Ports and 25 other U.S. communities. It focuses on projects with the potential to create transformational change.
