The city of Titusville, about an hour's drive southwest of Erie, is looking for a couple of businesses to fill downtown storefronts. And it's deploying an unusual tool to recruit these new businesses: a business plan contest with a spot downtown as part of the winning prize.
As part of a similar contest that took place in 2011, aspiring business owners attended classes on how to start their ventures and write business plans. The winning idea was a for a cafe and art gallery that is now open downtown.
This year's contest, called Plan It 2, will result in two winners. One prize is set aside for a brand-new business and the other for an established business interested in adding a Titusville location. Those who enter are asked to attend classes on launching, financing and marketing a business. The free classes will be taught by staff from the Small Business Development Centers at Clarion and Gannon universities, who will also help contestants write their business plans.
The competition isn't targeting any specific types of ventures. "Then we get two downtown storefronts filled and more business plans to look at," says Deb Eckelberger, business outreach coordinator for the Titusville Community Development Agencies. "We're just welcoming just about anybody who’s looking to come in. We want the creativity to flow.
The contest deadline is March 23 and winners will be announced April 12.
Source: Deb Eckelberger, Titusville Community Development Agencies
Writer: Rebecca VanderMeulen
