Publication Date

Spring 2022

Degree Type

Master's Project

Degree Name

Master of Public Administration (MPA)

Department

Urban and Regional Planning

First Advisor

Frances Edwards

Keywords

Entrepreneurship, Small Business, Stockton

Abstract

In any community, entrepreneurs and small business owners play an important role in the fabric of the community. The concept of “community wealth-building” is the idea that cooperatives, Community Development Financial Institutes (CDFIs), impact investors, and local governments, can “...strengthen locally-rooted and locally-held businesses and investing vehicles…” (Field, 2015, n.p.). It is believed that keeping businesses local results in “...more local tax revenue, more local business activity and more local employment” (Field, 2015, n.p.).

Therefore, supporting an entrepreneur may contribute to the overall quality of life of the community by supporting them, their families, and their employees. This can be especially important to communities that depend on small businesses, for example, communities like Stockton, California.

The purpose of this research is to evaluate the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Stockton and determine whether or not the city possesses the elements of a successful entrepreneurial ecosystem, as defined by the Kauffman Foundation; identifying the services provided by existing entrepreneur support organizations; examining the entrepreneurs’ experience participating in the entrepreneur programs; and analyzing the City of Stockton’s role in Stockton’s overall entrepreneurial ecosystem.

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