The project consists of Three Phases. Phase 1 started in January 2002 and was completed in August 2003. The goal of this phase was to determine how enduring community and industry business networks differ from those that do not endure. An enduring network is defined as one that has been in existence for the last five years. To understand the differences between enduring and non-enduring business networks, we selected 3 networks to study in the pilot phase. Subsequently, interviews were conducted with network directors and over 1000 members of 33 associations purposively selected from the four project states. We also assembled by-laws, brochures, news letters, and other relevant documents from each association. From these sources, we constructed a model of factors associated with high network performance.

Phase 2 started in August 2003. Preliminary results of the findings from Phase 2 will be presented in the Fall of 2004. In Phase 2 the knowledge gained about networks in Phase 1 will be field tested by creating 5 new business networks in Iowa, Nebraska and Ohio. The networks will focus on businesses that utilize local resources and fit with the local culture and history. The new networks will be five case studies with project collaborators becoming a network unto themselves through sharing experiences in the network development process. The case studies will document input, activities and outcomes, and at the completion of the project will synthesize common patterns for guidelines for phase three.

In Phase 3, we will combine knowledge gained from the traditional research and field testing phases into educational materials and programming to be disseminated by project collaborators in the four state region. We will work with our collaborators to generate material and present workshops. The plan is to create " blueprints for developing and sustaining business networks " and submit them for publication and dissemination through a variety of forums like the Community Development Society, University Extension services in the four state areas, North Central Regional Center for Rural Development to name a few.