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It has been a great journey working with everyone to create a Coworking Space and witnessing the first stages of building a startup community in Madison County. Over the past year I have met many goals and shared many a sobering moment with many of you.

In Early 2016 I was approached by 2 public/private partnerships to help create a startup community and locate my businesses in other cities. I had just returned to Indiana after visiting many communities around the South-East and Midwest. Each time I visited a community I heard the same issues repeated by Mayors and Economic Development teams in all those cities except those who embraced the ‘Boulder Thesis’ of building, maintaining and fostering a Startup Community.

The Boulder Thesis as outlined by Brad Feld in his book “Startup Communities: Building an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in Your City” states these qualities:

1. Entrepreneurs must lead the startup community.
2. The leaders must have a long term commitment.
3. The startup community must be inclusive of anyone who wants to participate.
4. The startup community must have continual activities that engage the entire entrepreneurial stack.

I spent Most of 2015 and 2016 visiting communities who were on the many lists of ‘Best Small Communities for Young Professionals’ and ‘Best Small Cities to Start a Business’. Communities like La Cross Wisconsin, Richmond Virginia, Chattanooga Tennessee, Wilmington North Carolina and many others.

From the left: La Crosse Wisconsin, Richmond Virginia, Chattanooga Tennessee, Wilmington North Carolina

I mention these specific cities because they share many similar historical aspects to Anderson Indiana.

1. Nearly all underwent a significant downturn following the loss of major manufacturing jobs. Many of these cities Downtowns and residential areas were economically depressed just 3-5 years earlier.

2. Each was within a 1-2 hour drive from a community of significant size that recently went through its own transformation.

3. Third, every single city identified their way out and found a system they replicated nearly identical to ‘The Boulder Thesis’.

Mayors and Economic Development Directors in each community spoke of a similar epiphany moment when they looked at their cities past. They all realized that attracting the next large employer was not the only step to recovery. They looked at their history and rediscovered how their cities were built and prospered previously. Each noted they started by attracting entrepreneurs and young professionals and fostering their success. This is not a new concept or to be dismissed as ‘trendy’ (empirical evidence abounds).

The success of a few entreprenuers… created more jobs, connected that company tighter within the community and created lasting connections to the city. In most cases. it was just one or a handful of entreprenuers who created amazing prosperity for thousands from small enclaves; though, an entire community of entrepreneurial thinkers were along for the ride.

Seems simple… right? If a company starts in a city that supports and celebrates it; then, it will stick around and contribute back to the city in measurable ways. Much in the way that those involved in Anderson’s Automotive past were deeply committed to Anderson. Many buildings were built, services were created and opportunities abounded.

Starting today a series of ‘Articles’ will be published and disseminated through www.vesuvius.in and other press channels. These articles will include historical and current business profiles, lessons from others and a specific call to action.
Before then, I want to reinvigorate our conversations and meet with as many people as possible; I have yet to have left a meeting or conversation in Madison County that I have not learned something new.

Text, Call or Email me today let’s meet tomorrow!

Shane Bivens

  Vesuvius Founder and Highland Grad