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Alabama Entrepreneurial Research Network

The Alabama Entrepreneurial Research Network (AERN) fosters social and economic change in rural communities through engaged partnerships. Established to enhance entrepreneurship in distressed areas, AERN collaborates with nonprofits and local organizations to provide resources, training, and support for entrepreneurs. This replicable program not only serves as a platform for scholarly achievement but also transforms communities by promoting job creation, industry recruitment, and overall prosperity. With collaboration at its core, AERN enriches education for both students and local leaders, driving sustainable economic development in Alabama.

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Alabama Entrepreneurial Research Network

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  1. Alabama Entrepreneurial Research Network aern.cba.ua.edu

  2. Inspiring Social And Economic Change through Engaged Community Partners The University of Alabama Culverhouse College of Commerce AERN

  3. AERN is a very replicable program • This model can work for business development in any rural area • AERN'scommunity-based engagement is an excellent platform for scholarly achievement

  4. AERN: How it started and what we do • Began as a program to enhance entrepreneurship in rural distressed areas • We form partnerships with nonprofits including chambers of commerce, economic development agencies, libraries, et.al. • We set up AERN centers to provide computers and business resources to our partners who, in turn, make them available to the public • We train entrepreneurs and our partners in the techniques of starting and expanding a business • We make online resources and business research available to the local communities

  5. AERN: Forging a network for success

  6. Support is vital • We write grants to provide funding • Governmental leaders support due to economic outcomes of the program • UA administration provides encouragement and funding • Partners contribute time, enthusiasm, office space and some funding

  7. Collaboration is a key component • Intra-campus divisions share ideas and work together to deliver the program • Faculty/staff share their expertise in community seminars and workshops • Library staff extend business research to the rural communities • University research teams use this program as an avenue to the community

  8. Education is enhanced • UA faculty become better scholars • UA students receive hands-on learning experiences in the community • Local entrepreneurs are educated on how to start, expand and be successful in business • Community leaders and chamber directors receive education on economic development

  9. Engagement is an output • Rural communities “buy in” to the University’s expertise and value • Community stakeholders and University researchers develop relationships that facilitate trust • UA scientific knowledge is blended with community experiential knowledge • UA scholars are subjected to rural community diversity, allowing outcomes to be measured more accurately

  10. Partnership The University of Alabama Rural Communities • Benefits • to Rural Communities • to UA

  11. Benefits to UA • Faculty develops sensitivity to rural culture • Trust develops, imperative to research projects • Scholarly journal articles are written • Students have a medium for community-based learning

  12. Benefits to rural communities • Economic change • Job creation • Industry recruitment • Capital investment • Improved prosperity • Social change • Leaders are developed • Quality of life is improved • Culture is enhanced and diversified

  13. Keys to sustainability • UA administration must support • A proactive means of support must exist within the College of Commerce • Director of the program must understand the process and have a passion for its success • Partners must embrace the program and engage the business community • Partners’ boards of directors must believe in the program and appreciate the benefits • Must have financial support through monetary funding and in-kind contributions

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