Cmty Dev & Apld Econ: Strat PlanCommEntrepreneurs

Applications of marketing, finance, and management strategies. Drafting a real working business plan for community entrepreneurs and economic development. Prerequisites: One of the following: CDAE 2660, CDAE 2670, CDAE 2680, or equivalent course; Senior standing only.

Prereqs enforced by the system: CDAE 2660 or 2670 or 2680; CENT majors & minors with Senior standing and PACE students; Open to Degree and PACE students

This course centers around a “capstone” project, in which students will draft a real working business plan for community-centered venture. The project will draw from previous classes in the major, including marketing, financial management, and strategic decision-making, as well as the basic foundational knowledge of community development. The course will emphasize the integration of social impact goals with sustainable business practices, exploring how entrepreneurial ventures can contribute to local economic resilience and community well-being. Through project work, professional development activities, and critical discussion of community entrepreneurship literature, students will gain insight into the realities of launching and managing a community-focused enterprise. By the end of the semester, students will have developed a robust, actionable business plan that demonstrates their ability to synthesize knowledge from across the CENT curriculum and apply it to real-world community-centered business opportunities.

Throughout the course of the semester, students will: a) Read from and critically evaluate the seminal peer-reviewed texts relating to community entrepreneurship and social enterprise. b) Complete a major project that demonstrates an understanding of the core principles of community entrepreneurship, including marketing, finance, and strategy. c) Engage in professional development activities meant to refine skills, network with stakeholders, and prepare students to successfully launch into their careers after graduation.

Students will be assessed across a range of activities including class participation, oral presentations, and written work.