Great Bend Post
Great Bend Economic Development has continued its strong support for entrepreneurship over the past couple of years. Last fall’s IGNITE Rural Business competition awarded $95,000 to entrepreneurs in Barton County to start new businesses. The 4th annual Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge wrapped up a couple of weeks ago with business ideas from Barton County students from 7th grade through 12th grade.
New this year is CO.STARTERS Core, a 10-week program to walk individuals through a process to get business ideas off the ground. Jeremy Elliott and Regan Reif are facilitating the program, and Elliott said this will be a great way to prepare aspiring entrepreneurs.
"It's going to help you ask better questions to challenge your assumptions," said Elliott. "It will identify key issues and help you articulate and explain your business' potential to others. Most importantly, it will help you with the next step."
CO.STARTERS will meet on Wednesdays from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. over a 10-week period at the Great Bend Economic Development office on 10th Street. The program costs $250 to participate and begins on April 3. Anyone that attends eight or more classes will receive a $100 rebate.
Online applications are available at gbedinc.com.