Entrepreneurship Fair to be held in Nov.

VW Economic Development information

The sixth annual Entrepreneurship Fair will be held Saturday morning, November 8, in the Community Room at Vantage Career Center, 818 N. Franklin St. in Van Wert. Organizers include representatives from the Ohio State University Extension/Van Wert City 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.

Anyone who dreams of starting a business is encouraged to attend this free event. Registration will begin at 7:45 a.m., with a panel of local entrepreneurs scheduled to share their journey at 8 a.m.  This event will also serve as the kick-off to the Business Plan Challenge.

Congratulations once again to 2014 award winners Shelly Becker and Ernie Geyer, who recently opened The Embroidery Coop, a retail storefront at 126 E. Main St. that provides custom embroidered apparel and home décor, as well as screen-printing, to area businesses and individuals.

This free fair offers a wide variety of assistance, counseling and information to promising entrepreneurs and emerging new businesses. There will be speakers on topics that include: “The First Steps”, “Financing and Incentives”, and an “Ask the Experts” session where area professionals will hold a question-and-answer session with the audience.

A special element to the fair is the announcement of the Business Plan Challenge, where individuals looking to begin a business in Van Wert County can create, submit and present a business plan to a panel of judges for the chance to win up to $2,500 in business development funds. The award will be presented in March 2015. This allows individuals time to put thought on paper, do the necessary research and to attend business-counseling sessions offered locally by the Lake Campus’ Business Enterprise Center.

Those looking for a chance to start their own business should take advantage of this excellent opportunity on November 8 from 8 a.m.-noon at Vantage Career Center.

For more information, call Cindy Leis at the Van Wert City Economic and Community Development Office at 419.238.2999.