Deadline set for Business Plan Challenge

VW independent/submitted information

Last weekend, the seventh annual Van Wert County Entrepreneurship Fair was held at Vantage Career Center. The event was a success, thanks to many area professionals and enthusiastic participants.

Throughout the morning event, the importance of a business plan was evident, as business owners shared their inspirational stories and triumph, only to be followed by a flurry of experts reinforcing the need.

This event, co-hosted by OSU Extension Economic Development, Van Wert Area Chamber of Commerce, Main Street Van Wert, Wright State University Lake Campus’ Business Enterprise Center, Van Wert County Economic Development, and the Van Wert County Foundation, served as the kickoff for the fifth annual Business Plan Challenge.

This is a program where individuals who attend instructional classes to develop a viable business plan are eligible to win up to $2,500 in business development funds, a Chamber of Commerce business membership and additional business-related services through the Lake Campus’ Business Enterprise Center.

Classes will cover topics such as “Business Plan Basics”, “Marketing Plan Creation”, “Cash Flow 101” and “Funding Sources”, and will be offered about every two weeks beginning November 19 and continuing through January, with award presentations to be in early March 2016.

Session 1, titled “Start-Up Basics”, will be offered today at 6 p.m. at the WSU Business Enterprise Center’s Van Wert office: Suite C, 147 E. Main St.

Those unable to attend should contact the Economic Development Office at 419.238.2999 to receive a Business Plan Challenge packet. The deadline to submit an “intent to apply” form to the Economic Development Office, Room 104 of the Van Wert Municipal Building, is Wednesday, November 25. The form can be dropped off in person or sent by email to jones.5564@osu.edu. The program is free.