“Community capital” is one way to express the idea that a town or county can, and should, support its own economy to the greatest extent possible. You don’t have to be a millionaire to invest in your neighbors.
Typical angel investors look for businesses that can grow quickly and then be sold. Small-town “angels” deal with smaller amounts of money and are interested in the long-term success of a business that will sustain a community.
A little goes a long way. Even $100—when combined with other investors’ $100—can help an entrepreneur start or improve a business, and the investor might receive a modest financial return, in addition to intangible returns such as nurturing a thriving entrepreneurial spirit, helping a friend, or giving young adults a reason to return to the region after college.
There are a number of forms of community capital:
