In small towns and big cities across Minnesota and Wisconsin, entrepreneurship is alive and well—and, in many cases—thrive more in rural communities than in urban ones.
That’s a finding from the Midwest Entrepreneurial Climate Survey, a joint effort between University of Minnesota Extension and University of Wisconsin-Madison. Conducted in summer 2024, the survey invited nearly 10,000 households to share their experiences and perceptions of entrepreneurship.
Results revealed unexpected insight, says Neil Linscheid, Extension specialist in entrepreneurship. Linscheid was struck by rural entrepreneurship rates that were higher than in urban areas.
PHOTO: Customers shopping for vegetables at the Mankato farmers market. (University of Minnesota Extension)
