116 Mayors Join National Campaign to Prioritize Entrepreneurship

The movement is a joint effort between the nonprofit Right to Start and the democracy-focused alliance More Perfect. It arrives as the country prepares for its 250th anniversary, positioning the U.S. as a "startup nation" that needs to re-engage its foundational spirit of innovation. Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt served as the inaugural participant, setting a precedent that organizers hope to scale to hundreds of additional municipalities.

Participating mayors gain access to resources designed to dismantle local barriers for business owners and foster more inclusive economic environments. This coalition emerged from significant grassroots pressure, with over 800 citizens petitioning their local leadership over the last six months to elevate entrepreneurship in city policy. Organizers emphasize that local growth remains the most effective engine for community stability, noting that a 1% increase in entrepreneurial activity historically correlates with a 2% decline in poverty rates.