Lawrence Reporter

Douglas County hosting Ecosystem Town Hall on Feb. 16 for entrepreneurs, small business owners

Douglas County, in partnership with the Douglas County Community Foundation, Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, Network Kansas, and Forward Cities are excited to host the E3 Nation Tour. This event will help our community take next steps on the path towards designing, leading and sustaining equitable entrepreneurial communities here in Lawrence and Douglas County.

As part of the Douglas County / Lawrence E3 Nation Tour, the planning committee invites a diverse cross-section of local entrepreneurs, small business owners and community champions to the Ecoystem Town Hall. Held the evening of Thursday, February 16, this event is free, but registration is required.

A keynote presentation by national thought leader Kay Horwitt, president and CEO of Forward Cities, will inspire attendees with a vision of what is possible when we transform the way we view, resource and support every entreprenuer in our community. Following the keynote, attendees will explore and discuss both the successes and challenges facing our local entrepreneurs and small business owners.

Register for the Town Hall (limited capacity).

What is the E3 Tour?

E3 stands for Equity for Every Entrepreneur. The E3 vision is for every entrepreneur to have equitable opportunity and access to develop, launch and grow a business that creates wealth for themselves, their family and/or their community.

This tour is facilitated by Forward Cities President and CEO Fay Horwitt and hosted by Douglas County Government with support from the Douglas County Community Foundation, Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, and Network Kansas. Fay is a sought-after presenter, trainer, and thought leader on the topic of catalyzing equitable ecosystems. Douglas County’s partnership with Forward Cities started in January 2021, inspiring the work of the Douglas County Anti-Poverty Community Health Plan work group that seeks to increase Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) businesses and leadership in our entrepreneurial ecosystem. Forward Cities is a national nonprofit equipping communities and regions to grow and sustain more equitable entrepreneurial ecosystems and has done so in over 50 communities nationwide.

If you have questions, please contact Douglas County Assistant County Administrator, Jill Jolicoeur at jjolicoeur@douglascountyks.org.

Original source can be found here.