Economic gardening is more sophisticated. It includes publicly funded services that train entrepreneurs to start, run and grow businesses, as well as provide advice on applying for SBA backed loans, financial management and marketing.

Networking is another component. The University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls has set up an online portal called MyEntreNet to help entrepreneurs tap each other's knowledge. Some communities work to introduce local angel investors to entrepreneurs. A few fund low-interest small-business loan programs with local taxes.

All told, economic gardening is a more comprehensive approach to helping entrepreneurs than any economic development efforts to date. "This isn't about programs," stresses Macke. "It's about helping communities and regions create systems that support small businesses."