Business startup success depends on many factors. The Bay Area Chamber of Commerce Business Development Committee launched a New Business Challenge Grant in 2009. It is once again time for local startup business owners to think about applying. The New Business Challenge Grant is a program designed to encourage entrepreneurial spirit in the Bay Area. This grant has been responsible for giving several local small businesses a hand up as they got started. “A positive, pro-growth attitude will encourage small, growing businesses to thrive on the South Coast. The New Business Challenge Grant will help by taking the best and making it better through the infusion of award capital” says Arlene Soto, Director of the Southwestern Oregon Community College Small Business Development Center. The winner will receive $500 in taxi topper advertising from Yellow Cab; $900 in banking services from Banner Bank; $1,500 in employer services from Cardinal Services; $250 in cash from Pam de Jong, Financial Advisor, Edward Jones; 50 hours of business mentoring from John Bacon at Bay Area Enterprises; $500 cash from NW Natural Gas; 10 hours of tax or accounting advice from C.J. Huntsman CPA our 2016 New Business Challenge grant winner; and a one year chamber membership from the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce. The winner will participate in confidential mentoring each month of the award year offered by the Southwestern Oregon Community College Small Business Development Center. The purpose of this grant is to help position new businesses for success and ensure they know this is a good place to start and grow. The winner will be chosen through a business plan competition. Applications are available through the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce or the Small Business Development Center. Completed business plans and applications are due in the chamber office by October 13, 2017. The winner will be announced at the December 2017 Economic Outlook Forum. The contest is open to new startup businesses, aspiring businesses and businesses which did not generate customer revenue prior to June 1, 2016 that are located in the Coos Bay, North Bend, Charleston area.
