By Great Bend Economic Development
GREAT BEND, Kan. — Barton County’s fourth annual Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge is live on Wednesday, March 6th at noon at the Great Bend Events Center, 3111 10th Street. This competition for 7th-grade through 12th-grade students from Barton County is brought to the community by Great Bend Economic Development and the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce. This competition was created to challenge our youth, encourage our business community to partner with and mentor our younger generations, and foster an entrepreneurial spirit. This event is also made possible by a partnership with NetWork Kansas. NetWork Kansas holds regional and state Youth Entrepreneurship Challenges as part of its mission in developing entrepreneurship ecosystems throughout Kansas. Great Bend Economic Development and the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce partner in this competition as both organizations are tasked with strengthening the area’s workforce for the business community, and in this case, that means nurturing the next generation’s entrepreneurs.
This competition and live trade show will take place at the Great Bend Events Center on March 6th. Students and judges have lunch together to break the ice, and then competitors will begin their formal 4-minute presentations to the judges at noon. The public is invited and encouraged to attend this event to cheer on our student competitors and show their support for the next generation of business ideas, and the winners will be announced at approximately 2 pm. There is $2500 in prize money to be divided among the top competitors. Third place will receive $500, second place will receive $750, and first place will receive $1000 and the opportunity to continue onto the state-level competition. Audience members will have a chance to vote for their favorite and award the People’s Choice to one competitor as well as $250.
About GBED (Great Bend Economic Development):
About GBED (Great Bend Economic Development):Our goal is to sustain Barton county’s long-term economic health and vitality through the retention, expansion, and attraction of businesses and development that enhance property values, increase personal income, and positively contribute to the citizens’ quality of life of Barton County.
Great Bend Economic Development leads the charge in creating workforce initiatives to sustain our current employers as well as initiatives that will help to support new employers that move to the community. Employers and jobseekers are encouraged to reach out to GBED with questions and concerns and GBED will either pair you up with a workforce partner to help you accomplish your goals, or work with you one-on-one to create solutions and positive outcomes. Together we will create a strong and sustainable workforce pipeline that will enable us to continue to grow Barton County.
For more information about GBED visit: www.gbedinc.com, call 620-796-2407, or email [email protected].
