Entrepreneurship Fair coming Saturday

Van Wert independent/submitted information

The fifth annual Van Wert County Entrepreneurship Fair will be held this Saturday morning, November 9, in The Community Room at Vantage Career Center.  Organizers, including representatives from The Ohio State University Extension Economic Development Office, Van Wert Area Chamber of Commerce, Main Street Van Wert, Community Improvement Corporation and Wright State University-Lake Campus Business Enterprise Center, encourage all who dream of starting a business to attend this free event.  Registration will begin at 7:45 a.m., with a panel of local entrepreneurs scheduled to share their journey around 8 a.m. This event will also serve as the kickoff to the Business Plan Challenge.

The agenda for the event includes a local entrepreneur panel shortly after 8 that morning; “Starting a Business – What’s First?” at 9 a.m.; “Financing and Incentives” at 9:45 a.m.; and “Ask the Experts?” a question-and-answer session with an attorney, banker, commercial insurance advisor, accountant, realtor, contractor, and marketing professional, at 10:30 a.m.

Door prizes and the announcement of the Business Plan Challenge will close the event.

“The Business Plan Challenge is designed to stimulate entrepreneurial activity and create greater awareness of the resources available to grow entrepreneurs in Van Wert County,” said Gary Corcoran, event co-organizer.

Over the next 10 weeks, the challenge will offer group instruction sessions and materials to assist each applicant with the creation of a viable business model they may choose to present to a panel of experienced judges in early 2014. The top business plan will receive $2,500 in business development funds and additional counseling services, development resources, a Chamber of Commerce membership and more.

Area residents looking for a chance to start their own business should take advantage of this excellent opportunity this Saturday. Those participating are asked to use the entrance farthest south and park at the back of the lot. Look for signage for the event.

For more information or assistance in starting a business, call the OSU Extension Van Wert County Economic Development Office at 419.238.2999.