By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
The deadline to sign up for Great Bend Economic Development’s entrepreneur competition has passed, and 31 individuals signed up to pitch their idea for a new business or invention in Barton County. A local entrepreneurship board will narrow down the entries to 20 to compete in the next round.
Economic Development Director Sara Arnberger was pleased with the turnout
with the first competition.
"It's a very diverse base of businesses," said Arnberger. "They're all very different. We have four contestants from outside of Barton County. If they compete in the final show and win, they are bringing their business and moving to Barton County."
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The next phase of the competition will pair the contestants with a local
business mentor and a Small Business Development Center (SBDC) representative
that can help them hone in on their business plan more.
Eventually, chosen contestants will present before the IGNITE Rural Business
team. Finalists will present their business plan at the Crest Theater in Great
Bend on Oct. 5 where the winner receives $50,000 to assist
their business startup, followed by $30,000 for second place and $10,000 for
third place.