America’s small business creation rate has been dropping for decades. The country’s entrepreneurial spirit seems alive and well, so what’s discouraging entrepreneurs from starting new small businesses?   With a panel of experts, this CMC forum explores what the future holds for small business entrepreneurs in Central Ohio and unpacks what the region is doing to help entrepreneurs and small businesses start, grow, and thrive.  This CMC forum was recorded before a live audience following COVID protocols at the Boat House in Columbus, Ohio on November 3, 2021.   This forum was sponsored by Steptoe & Johnson. The forum partner was the Central Ohio African American Chamber of Commerce.  The speakers are:   Bill LaFayette, Ph.D., Owner of Regionomics® LLC  Steve Fireman, President and General Counsel for the Economic and Community Development Institute   Cheryl Turnbull, Senior Director of the Keenan Center for Entrepreneurship at The Ohio State University   The host is Susan Post, Editor of TheMetropreneur.com and Associate Editor of ColumbusUnderground.com