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The Developer-December/January 2004 12/2/03 12:16 PM Entrepreneurs is Released Entrepreneur magazine and D&B's 105th annual listing of the best U.S.cities for entrepreneurs is featured in Entrepreneur's October issue.The special report highlights the U.S.cities that are the best places for entrepreneurs to start or grow a business. The Minneapolis/St.Paul tops the national rankings for large cities.In 15th place last year,the Twin Cities have made an impressive improvement in overall economic health. This health is attributed to growth and stability of existing businesses more than emergence of new business,according to D&B. Cities are ranked according to Entrepreneurial Activity(based on the number of businesses five years old or younger).Small-Business Growth(based on the number of businesses with fewer than 20 employees that had significant employment growth from January 2002 to January 2003),Job Growth(change in job growth over a three-year period through January 2003)and Risk(bankruptcy rates). Christopher Puto,dean of the college of business at the University of St.Thomas in Minneapolis,says one factor the aforementioned criteria doesn't take into consideration is the Twin Cities'creativity quotient."The people in this region are highly supportive of creative activity,"he says.He traces the creativity-valuing culture to the fact that 3M Corp.,the famously inventive creator of Post-it notes,Scotch tape and countless other standards,is based there. "[3M's]whole culture spawned this,"Puto says. For the complete story and listing,pick up a copy of the October 2003 issue of Entrepreneur magazine,or read it on Entrepreneur.com at www.entrepreneur.com/ bestcities. • • • • AURI Awarded USDA Grant for Ag Innovation Center The Agricultural Utilization Research Institute(AURI)has been selected as one of 10 national recipients of federal funds to establish an Agricultural Innovation Center.The$1 million grant from the U.S.Department of Agriculture will be used to establish a center focused on providing assistance for projects involving producer-owned energy such as ethanol,biodiesel and co-product utilization. The 2002 Farm Bill included provisions creating the Ag Innovation Centers,which are designed to provide technical and business assistance to develop markets and processes for value-added agricultural commodities and products. The Ag Innovation Center will operate as an independent body,based in Marshall,MN. The Center will provide technical and business assistance for producer-owned ventures focused on generating energy from renewable sources.The Center will tap into expertise available from AURI or other organizations best equipped to provide the necessary resources. A total of ten grants were awarded through a competitive application review.Those selected demonstrated a track record of achieving value-added successes,experienced personnel,developed a strong work plan,placed an emphasis on utilizing non-Federal funds and showed a commitment to measuring performance of value-added activities. AURI is a nonprofit corporation created to improve the economy of rural Minnesota through the development of new uses and new markets for the state s agricultural commodities. back to ton http://www.ewald.com/EDAMENL/EDAMENL/EDAMDecJan2004/EDAMDecJan2004.htm Page 14 of 15