| Jan. 30, 2008: Website for Oswego
County's 'Next Great Idea' Goes Live
OSWEGO, NY – The web site for “The
Next Great Idea: 2008 Oswego County Business Plan Competition”
(NGI) is now on line with all the details for entrants, said Austin
Wheelock, economic development specialist for Operation Oswego County
(OOC).
“NGI is the result of business and community leaders joining
together to launch this competition that encourages entrepreneurs
to commit to new business development in Oswego County and offers
a $25,000 prize to help make a dream come true,” Wheelock
said.
Entries are due May 1 and the event announcing the winner will be
held at Noon, Nov. 10 at the American Foundry, Oswego.
The web site, www.oswegocounty.org/bizcomp.htm, includes an overview
of the event, a competition timeline, guidelines, details on the
$25,000 prize, sponsors, partners and contact information. In addition,
the $25,000 can potentially be leveraged to borrow up to $250,000
in partnership with local banks, the Oswego County Industrial Development
Agency, the cities of Oswego and Fulton community development offices,
the U.S. Small Business Administration, and other economic development
agencies.
The winner will also receive two free submissions to New York’s’
Creative Core $100,000, 2009 Emerging Business Competition.
Wheelock added that the event now has a graphic identity as well.
“Chirello Advertising donated their services to design a 4-color
logo that will assist us in branding this event,” he said.
The timetable calls for eligible teams to submit an executive summary
of their idea by May 1, 2008. On June 1, a team of judges will evaluate
the executive summaries and up to 10-15 semi-finalists will be selected
for round two. On June 16, semi-finalists will be notified that
they have qualified for the next round. These semi-finalists are
required to submit a business plan that follows competition requirements
by Sept. 1, 2008.
To assist the semi-finalists, SUNY Oswego’s Office for Business
and Community Relations will offer a free optional workshop June
30 to provide additional support for the business plan submission.
On November 10, the finalists must give a 20-minute presentation
on their business plan in-person to the panel of judges. Following
the presentation, a luncheon and awards ceremony announcing the
winner will be held. The $25,000 prize must be used to start or
expand a business in Oswego County.
“Our organizing team believes that Oswego County offers a
wealth of resources and opportunities for businesses to start and
flourish here. We are all extremely excited to see what great ideas
competition participants generate,” Wheelock said. Media sponsor
for the event is Time Warner’s News 10 Now.
For more information, visit the web site at www.oswegocounty.org/bizcomp.htm,
or Wheelock can be contacted at 315-343-1545 or at
awheelock@oswegocounty.org.
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