Commits to Rethinking how to solicit tech solutions and attract potential partnerships with startups and tech-based entrepreneurs to give underrepresented entrepreneurs more opportunities for economic advancement
Irmo today announced it has committed rethinking how to solicit tech solutions and attract potential partnerships with startups and tech-based entrepreneurs. This commitment was made at the National League of Cities (NLC) City Summit as part of the City Inclusive Entrepreneurship (CIE) program, which will provide the Town of Irmo with resources and support to help entrepreneurs of color and from other under-represented backgrounds achieve greater economic mobility, reduce the racial wealth gap, and improve access, opportunity, knowledge, and funding for historically under-represented groups.
“Irmo, SC is a growing municipality with no town property tax, so we must find unique and cost-effective solutions to our challenges,” said Erik Sickinger, Town of Irmo Council Member. “The Town of Irmo is excited by the opportunity of working with innovative technology startups with the assistance and leadership of CivStart.”
The CIE program, an initiative of the National League of Cities, helps cities adopt policies, programs and practices to give underrepresented entrepreneurs more opportunities for economic advancement. Participants select an area of focus for their programs to support economic growth in their communities, including working with startups, creating microlending platforms and improving access to procurement opportunities for MWBEs. Now in its fourth year, this network has grown to include more than 200 cities, 250 local partners, and $100 million in committed resources.
The Town of Irmo has pledged to identifying critical issues facing local government and will create a publicly announced process for meeting those challenges by partnering with civic-minded startups. “Leaders of America’s cities, towns and villages recognize that racial and gender equity are key ingredients to economic growth in communities,” said Clarence E. Anthony, CEO and Executive Director of NLC. “We look forward to working with new members of the City Inclusive Entrepreneurship program to bring their commitments to fruition and create economies in which everyone wins.”
The Town of Irmo joins 55 other cities from across the country that have made a total of 71 commitments. As part of its participation in the CIE program, the Town of Irmo will receive direct technical assistance, information sharing with other cities and partner organizations and financial support to help implement its program.
The CIE program is made possible in partnership with and support from Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. For more information about the program, click here.
