I have one of the best jobs in Freeborn County. In fact, in the last 10 months my job has become one of great joy and excitement and at the same time filled with anxiety and challenge. I say this because of the enthusiasm, hard work and dedication of our entrepreneurs, some of whom have taken the path least traveled, some of who are still creating their path and others who haven’t jumped onto the path.

What am I talking about? I’m referring to our Albert Lea Business Development Center, where four entrepreneurs are working hard to create new companies and grow new jobs in Albert Lea/Freeborn County. Ironically, three of the six companies located in our center come from outside the city limits: Daisy Blue Naturals, Geneva; Aquila Corporation, Clarks Grove and our newest tenant, Buffalo Bill’s Bison Products from Glenville.

Since we opened our doors last May, we have grown 25 new jobs in our facility and that’s only the beginning. Our Entrepreneur Get Togethers, held once a month, include a database of more than 40 people, all in various stages of their business. We will soon kick off a business plan competition, which will allow companies less than two years old make application through the development of a business plan for up to $50,000.

Our latest and greatest tenant includes Randy Fett, owner of Buffalo Bill’s Bison Products. He has developed a soup stock and gravy produced from buffalo that are processed in a USDA-inspected facility. At the Albert Lea Business Development Center, Randy will ship and receive his product to be marketed to consumers, retailers and wholesalers across the country.

In 1950 150,000 people started a small business, compared to more than 2 million people in 2000 who went into business for themselves. We have an opportunity in Albert Lea/Freeborn County to continue to expand our dreams of more jobs and more businesses through the Albert Lea Business Development Center. Doesn’t it make sense to spend our time and resources on a plan that has worked for so many years, not only in Albert Lea, but also across the state of Minnesota and the entire country? Microsoft started in a garage and the IBMs and Pillsburys started small at one time too. When 70 percent of all new jobs are created where they are sitting, it simply would not be wise of us to not think organic growth isn’t a sensible investment.

Let’s work together to help people help themselves and start businesses that will grow and thrive in a place we have chosen to call home. We hope you will think of the Albert Lea Business Development Center as this place to begin.

Pam Bishop is executive vice president of Greater Jobs, Inc., a Freeborn County economic development organization.