Entrepreneurship Fair scheduled

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The 3rd Annual Van Wert County Entrepreneurship Fair will be held on Saturday morning, November 12th in the Lecture Hall at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center.  Organizers, including representatives from the OSU Extension Economic Development Office, Van Wert Area Chamber of Commerce, Main Street Van Wert, the Van Wert Area Business Innovation Center and Wright State University Lake Campus Business Enterprise Center encourage all who dream of starting a business attend this free event.  Registration will begin at 8:30am with a panel of local entrepreneurs scheduled to share their journey at 9:00a.m.  This event will also serve as the kickoff to our first area Business Plan Competition.

The Fair, which was last held in February of 2010, offers a wide variety of assistance, counseling and information to budding entrepreneurs and emerging new businesses.  There will be speakers on topics including: The First Steps, Financing, Marketing and Business Opportunities, and an Ask the Experts session where area professionals will do a Q&A with the audience.  “Entrepreneurship is a top priority for all the organizations hosting this event because we know many of the micro businesses will stay and grow in the area, strengthening our economic base and creating more jobs over time,” said Nancy Bowen, OSU Extension Economic Development Director.

This year a special element has been added to the fair… a Business Plan Competition.  This will be the kickoff to our first competition where individuals can create, submit and present a business plan to a panel of judges for the chance to win up to $2500 in business development funds.  The award will be presented at the Van Wert Area Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Dinner to be held in February 2012.  This allows individuals time to put thought on paper, do the necessary research and attend business counseling sessions.  We know that many big businesses were started during difficult economic times: Burger King, Microsoft and GE to name a few.  If you are looking for a chance to start your own business, take advantage of this excellent opportunity on November 12th from 8:30a.m. to 1:00p.m. at the Performing Arts Center.

If you have immediate questions or need assistance in starting a business, please call the OSU Extension Economic Development Office at 419-238-2999.  Also, check out their website at www.whyvanwert.org for downloadable forms and information on classes, including the “Starting Right” class held each month.