The third Harrison County Entrepreneurs’ Café is scheduled for Monday, March 4, and brings a new partner to the team of organizations that host the Cafes in the county. Liberty High School’s DECA Chapter has joined Clarksburg Uptown and the Harrison County Chamber of Commerce in hosting and promoting the event.
Harrison County was one of five locations in West Virginia identified by economic and community development group, Vision Shared, to pilot a program called the Entrepreneurs’ Cafe. The program aims to provide micro-funding awards to entrepreneurs at the local level and is designed to replicate a successful micro-funding program in Huntington, W.Va.
Liberty High School’s DECA Chapter will co-host the upcoming Entrepreneur’s Cafe event in partnership with Clarksburg Uptown and the Harrison County Chamber of Commerce at Liberty High School on Monday, March 4, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Parking and entrance will be behind the school.
During the event local entrepreneurs are invited to “pitch” their idea, business or project for funding. Attendees pay $15 (cash at the door) for a meal and an opportunity to hear small business development ideas and then have the opportunity to vote on their favorite “pitch.” The winning entrepreneur receives the proceeds from the purchase of meals. The proceeds can total in excess of $1,000.
The Entrepreneurs’ Cafe program is part of a Vision Shared’s long-term plan to develop the entrepreneurial climate in West Virginia. In May 2012 the organization released a white paper with recommendations for encouraging economic growth and development through entrepreneurial education and activity. The white paper is available at visionshared.com.
Local entrepreneurs interested in participating may fill out the application available online at ClarksburgUptown.com or HarrisonCountyChamber.com. All applications and RSVPs should be returned by Wednesday, February 27, to Harrison County Chamber of Commerce via email at: kathy@harrisoncountychamber.com, fax: 304-624-5190, or mail: Harrison County Chamber of Commerce, Attn: Kathy Wagner, 520 West Main Street, Clarksburg, WV 26301-2819.
For more information about the event, call the Harrison County Chamber of Commerce at
304-624-6331.
DECA is a student organization that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe. Student members leverage their DECA experience to become academically prepared, community oriented, professionally responsible, experienced leaders. To learn more about DECA, visit the website: DECA.org.
Vision Shared Inc. is a statewide nonprofit, nonpartisan community and economic development organization in West Virginia. Its mission is to strengthen the economy, transform communities, promote progressive government and improve the quality of life for West Virginians. Learn more at visionshared.com.
The mission of Clarksburg Uptown is to promote, in every way possible, the economic and social potential and growth of downtown Clarksburg and the Glen Elk section of Clarksburg, West Virginia. In order to accomplish this revitalization, Clarksburg Uptown proposes to move far beyond structural matters, encompassing and including the city’s social and cultural history. Learn more at clarksburguptown.com.
