Program Topics

Community Enterprise and Resiliency

Community enterprise development is a major vehicle for local economic prosperity and community flourishing.  A community enterprise may be either for-profit or non-profit.  They include any entity started or operated in a place or region and which demonstrates a strong commitment to one or more of these conditions:   local ownership, community loyalty, community usefulness, and a contribution to community well-being and prosperity. 

Virginia Cooperative Extension’s Community Viability initiatives support community enterprise development and sustainability in many ways including entrepreneurship training, food-based business assistance, and resources for non-profit organization development. 

Community resiliency and capacity refers to efforts to support places in enhancing their strengths, knowledge, and capabilities in order to withstand challenges, shocks, and adversities.  

Virginia Cooperative Extension’s Community Viability initiatives support community resiliency and capacity-building in a number of ways.  Some experts refer to this as  “soft infrastructure” of communities.  This includes civic engagement and community deliberation initiatives, technical assistance for capacity building, and leadership development.

To learn more about Community Viability programs and assistance concerning community enterprise and resiliency, Ask an Expert.