Door County, WI – The Door County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC) and the UW-Green Bay Small Business Development Center (SBDC) are proud to once again sponsor an entrepreneurial training program in Door County. Beginning Thursday, March 1 at NWTC-Sturgeon Bay, the eight-week FastTrac® NewVenture™ course from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation of Entrepreneurship takes students through a step-by-step approach to researching and writing a professional business plan.

 Building a business to withstand the test of time requires a unique set of tools. That’s where the FastTrac® NewVenture™ course makes a difference by providing the opportunity to:

• Explore entrepreneurship;
• Identify and meet market needs;
• Objectively evaluate your concept and plans for moving forward;
• Develop a working knowledge of business fundamentals such as marketing, product/service development, management, and financials;
• Begin building an infrastructure for your business operations and processes;
• Explore the risk and success factors in the marketplace;
• Understand how to access the human, financial, and business resources;
• Network with entrepreneurs and professionals;
• Respond to changes that can impact your business; and
• Build an actionable business plan.

Every Thursday evening, March 1 through April 19, course participants will gain the knowledge and skills to create a plan for the ultimate success of their business. The course is open to those who are considering starting their own business, existing small businesses struggling to get a handle on all the details or successful businesses looking to grow.

 The cost for the Door County FastTrac® NewVenture Entrepreneurial Training program is only $250, including books and materials. The course usually costs $1000, however the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Network are offering an Entrepreneurial Training Grant to qualified applicants that covers 75% of the tuition.

Registration forms and additional information are available at: http://www.doorcountybusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/RegistrationPack2012.pdf.

Registration is due by Friday, February 24, 2012.

The Industry of the Year award recognizes a construction, service or manufacturing business that has made a substantial impact on the community and enjoyed significant accomplishments during the past year.  Selection criteria include the firm’s stability within the marketplace, growth through job creation and capital investment, innovations in technology and/or business processes, leadership within the industry and business community and corporate citizenship, including involvement in community affairs and development.

This year marks the 39th year of this prestigious award, first presented by the Door County Chamber of Commerce in 1973.  Last year’s award winner was WireTech Fabricators. Other recent winners of the Industry of the Year Award include Roen Salvage Company. Door Peninsula Winery, and the Washington Island Ferry Line. 

The Entrepreneur of the Year Award — last year given to Dale and Kristin Seaquist and Jim and Robin Seaquist, owners of Seaquist Orchards in Northern Door County — celebrates those individuals who have taken the initiative to start and grow a successful small business in Door County. Eligible businesses include those with fewer than 50 employees that exhibit recent growth and future potential through job creation, innovation and/or investment in the business, have at least three years of successful business experience and demonstrated civic and community involvement. 

Any Door County resident or business can nominate a business or entrepreneur by contacting DCEDC.  Self-nominations are also encouraged. Nomination forms are available from DCEDC or on the Corporation website: www.doorcountybusiness.com.  Nominations are due to DCEDC by Friday, February 17^th, 2012.

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DCEDC and the UW-Green Bay Small Business Development Center will be offering free, one-on-one business counseling sessions for any new or existing business owners in Door County.

Chuck Brys, Business Counselor for the Small Business Development Center, will be providing advice on business planning, financing and other issues. Brys is a CPA and former Chief Financial Officer for several Wisconsin companies, with over 30 years of business experience and knowledge to share with local entrepreneurs.

Individual, confidential sessions will be held at the Door County Business Development Center, 185 East Walnut Street, Sturgeon Bay. An appointment is required and can be made by contacting Cindy Wick at 920-743-3113 x 200 or via e-mail at cindy@ doorcountybusiness.com.

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The event is open to anyone interested in learning more about the Buy Local initiative in Door County. There will be a cash bar and appetizers ; attendees are asked to make a $5 donation to help defray costs. To RSVP for this event by June 3rd, or if you have questions, please call or email DCEDC: 920-743-3113 ext 200 or Bill@doorcountybusiness.com.

In addition to the keynote address by Secretary Jadin, the annual investors meeting will include the presentation of the Door County Industry of the Year and Entrepreneur of the Year Awards. The Industry of the Year Award recognizes a construction, service or manufacturing business that has made a substantial impact on the community and enjoyed significant accomplishments during the past year. The Entrepreneur of the Year Award celebrates those individuals who have taken the initiative to start and grow a successful small business in Door County. The luncheon meeting will also include the annual report to the community about the accomplishments of DCEDC during 2010.

The DCEDC annual investors meeting will start promptly at 12pm. Tickets for the May 25 luncheon are $30 per person or $280 for a table of ten. Tickets are available from the DCEDC office. For more information, please contact DCEDC at (920) 743-3113 x200 or by email at cindy@doorcountybusiness.com.

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A short program will feature comments from a local grower, a local restaurateur and a local retailer on the advantages and obstacles to selling and using local foods, designed to stimulate discussion of the issues facing local producers and consumers. Following the program, the attendees will have opportunities to network and exchange information about their local businesses.

Representatives of local agriculture producers, chefs, restaurateurs, institutional users, consumers and supporters of sustainable, local agriculture are invited to attend. Attendees are asked to bring business cards and information about their farms and businesses. A set of tables will be used to display this promotional literature and information about Door County Buy Local and its members.

Refreshments and appetizers will be served, along with a cash bar. A $5 donation is requested to defray costs.

The Door County Buy Local program is a grass-root economic development initiative that seeks to strengthen local businesses, increase employment opportunities and educate the public about the importance of buying locally whenever possible.

For more information, to join Door County Buy Local or view an upcoming event schedule for the rest of the year, go to www.doorcountybuylocal.com.