This article examines the entrepreneurial dimension in local authorities. We use intervention research conducted at the Lorraine Regional Council in France (Conseil Régional de Lorraine), which decided to develop its health care and biotechnologies network, to show that the notion of entrepreneurial orientation is highly relevant in the local authority context. We also conclude that while this particular local authority demonstrates a tendency for innovativeness, proactiveness and risk-taking, the social dimension is a key feature of its entrepreneurial orientation, and consequently argue that particular attention be paid to this feature.