In This Issue

• Spotlight: UF Innovate Collaboratory for Women Innovators Helps Florida Woman Empower People of All Ages to Navigate Technology with Ease
• Success Story: Minnesota Economic Development District Executive Director Strives for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Economic Development
• Highlight: Woman-led EDA University Center Is Making Entrepreneurship Easier in Kansas City

Spotlight: UF Innovate Collaboratory for Women Innovators Helps Florida Woman Empower People of All Ages to Navigate Technology with Ease

Before the coronavirus pandemic, about 80 aspiring beauticians attended classes at Dymond Designs Beauty School in downtown Detroit to learn about cosmetology, esthetics, manicuring, and natural hair cultivation.

Keeping up with technology can be a challenge even for those who use it on a day-to-day basis. Older adults often face additional challenges in a world that is increasingly dependent on new forms of technology.

Ming Yang is a 25-year-old from Florida who serves as a caregiver for her mother. She is often called upon to help navigate the online world of health insurance, completing necessary applications.

“My mother didn’t know how to use her computer and emails and upload documents,” Yang said. “That’s when I realized that, in this day and age, not knowing how to use computers in whatever capacity means not really experiencing and moving forward in life.”

Yang reasoned that if her mother needed technology assistance, there were probably other senior adults in the same situation.

After graduating from the University of Florida (UF) with an engineering degree, Yang sought help with her idea. She received critical business advise from the UF Innovate Collaboratory for Women Innovators, an Economic Development Administration University Center program, and she received seed money from entering – and winning 2nd place – in the UF Engineering Institute’s “Big Idea” competition.

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Success Story: Minnesota Economic Development District Executive Director Strives for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Economic Development

Nicole Griensewic, Executive Director of Region Nine Development Commission in Mankato, Minnesota

Region Nine Development Commission (RNDC) is an EDA-designated Economic Development District (EDD) focused on fostering economic development in a nine-county region in southern Minnesota.

Located in Mankato, RNDC’s service area is predominantly white but quickly diversifying. To address diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) issues, RNDC infuses these efforts into its economic development work.

“It’s not just an addendum chapter or vague language in a plan. Rather, we incorporate DEI principles into all the work that we are doing,” said Nicole Griensewic, Executive Director of RNDC.

In 2015, as the population became more diverse, Griensewic was questioned about how RNDC planned to incorporate the changing demographics into their plans to deal with equity gaps.

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Highlight: Woman-led EDA University Center Is Making Entrepreneurship Easier in Kansas City

UMKC Innovation Center Logo

It’s not just the barbecue or the championship-caliber NFL team that Kansas City is known for – the metro area is also recognized as a top city for entrepreneurs. Leading the charge is the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) Innovation Center.

The Innovation Center is part of the Economic Development Administration’s University Center (UC) program. The UC program makes universities' resources – including research, outreach, and technology – available to the regional economic development community.

UMKC’s Innovation Center is a long-term partner with EDA in economic development as a UC. In the Kansas City area, the Innovation Center is a key resource for aspiring and existing businesses.

“It’s a major outreach program into the community, and we help people start and grow businesses,” Maria Meyers, Executive Director of the UMKC Innovation Center said.

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