Outcomes of Community Capitals Cohesive, healthy, and sustainable economic growth for Iowa communities Financial Capital (e.g., Bank loans or investors) Built Capital (e.g., Community infrastructure Political Capital (e.g., Support for BCEs) Social Capital Bridging & bonding community Human Capital (e.g., BCEs) Cultural Capital (e.g., CCIs) Natural Capital Attractiveness of natural property

Background and Introduction: Entrepreneurs are the backbone of economic growth in the United States. In Iowa, entrepreneurial ventures currently account for 97.1% of all businesses, making an important contribution to the state's economy (SBA Office of Advocacy, 2016). Due to global and U.S. demographic restructuring, immigrant entrepreneurship has emerged as a growing business sector, especially Latina entrepreneurship, and similar trends have been noted in Iowa. As of 2012, U.S. Hispanic women-owned businesses totaled 1.48 million, reflecting an increase of 87.31% since 2007 (United States Census Survey, 2015). These innovative entrepreneurs are seizing opportunities and transforming cultural and intellectual property into new businesses that impact economic development. They are defined in this study as bi-cultural entrepreneurs (BCEs). BCEs refer to immigrant entrepreneurs who capitalize on marketplace opportunities related to their cultural background. Cultural knowledge, creativity, and technical skills act as competitive resources that aid in generating cultural-creative products and services (e.g. handcrafts and Quinceañera apparel retail). The production and distribution of these products allow BCEs to both make a living and express their cultural heritage (Ellmeier, 2003). Moreover, BCEs have a desire to express their cultural inheritance, talent, and skills to grow new businesses and supplement their household income.

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