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"Crowdfunding" is a relatively new term that describes the ability of small investors to pool financial resources to invest in an enterprise and is enabled by the internet. Crowdfunding was part of the JOBS Act, which President Obama signed into law in April.

U.S. Senator Michael Bennet was a key proponent of the crowdfunding provision. Senator Bennet is holding a seminar on crowdfunding at the Rocky Mountain Innosphere, 320 East Vine Drive in Fort Collins, this Friday, June 29, 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

The Chamber is partnering with Senator Bennet's office to put on the seminar and encourages interested members to attend. Space is limited so make a reservation by calling 970 224-2200.

Economic growth and prosperity are driven by innovation. Based on a new report titled "Enterprising States: Policies that Produce," Colorado is one of the top 10 states for entrepreneurship and innovation. Colorado also ranks 8th as a 'future boom state.'

Researchers looked at 33 state performance criteria in the categories of economic performance, exports, innovation and entrepreneurship, taxes and regulations, talent pipeline and infrastructure. Here's how Colorado ranked in some of the areas:

#2 high-tech share of all businesses
#3 business birth rate
#4 entrepreneurial activity
#5 STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) job concentration
#7 median family income
#8 bridge quality
#8 educational attainment
#8 high school advanced placement intensity
#9 short-term job growth
#9 small business survival index
#15 broadband provider availability
#15 road quality
#16 business tax climate
#16 higher-ed degree output
#16 long-term job growth
#18 economic output per job
#19 academic research and development intensity
#24 productivity growth

You can find the full report here.

At the time of this posting the High Park Fire west of Fort Collins has burned over 37,000 acres, and there is no containment in sight according to public safety officials.

To keep up on what is going on visit the Fort Collins Coloradoan, North Forty News, Larimer County and the incident website.

What can you do to help? Consider making a donation. Here are a few ideas:

• The Red Cross is determining the specific needs of people displaced by the fire. They indicate that the biggest way people can help is with financial donations. Call 1-800-REDCROSS or visit www.coloradoredcross.org/donate.
• Ditto for the Salvation Army. They need financial donations, which can be made through Salvation Army's website www.salvationarmyfortcollins.org, in person or by mail 3901 So. Mason Street or by calling 970 207-4472.
• The Larimer Humane Society has a wish list of need, which you can find of the Coloradoan website and the Humane Society's site, www.larimerhumane.org.
• For information on volunteering call United Way of Larimer County at 211 or 970 406-7066.

This is a very difficult time for many people. Thanks for help you.

Here's a story on The American, the online magazine of the American Enterprise Institute, that indicates that only 360,000 of the 3.2 million companies eligible for the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit made use of it in fiscal 2011. A survey of small business owners revealed that 80 percent knew of the credit. A majority (51 percent) of respondents said they were not using it because either “their business was not eligible,” the credit was “too small” or offered “no real benefit,” or the credit was “too complex.”