NOVEMBER 19, 7-8 P.M., THIRD FLOOR BLUFFTON TOWN HALL

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Learn about the Ropp Triplett Business Plan Competition from past winners at this Brown Bag Discussion. 

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Dan Klear of Superior Energy Solutions, Marlena Ballinger of the Dough Hook Meat Market, and Beth Bish of Bluffton Pediatrics will provide insight on the competition, business planning, and how they used their winnings.

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Have questions or want to RSVP? Call Paula Scott at (567) 525-6667 or email blufftonce@gmail.com.

What's new with the BCE? Readers of the Bluffton Icon  will get the scoop via our blog.

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The first installment is "Cookie crumbs and building permits," an account of the October BCE brown bag discussion on building permits.

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Executive Director Paula Scott will keep you up to date on what's happening with local entrepreneurs, what the current hot topic is among area business owners, and how the BCE is helping new and growing businesses.

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Take a look and let us know what you think!

OCTOBER 23, NOON-1 P.M., THIRD FLOOR BLUFFTON TOWN HALL

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Jesse Blackburn of the Village of Bluffton and Michael Rudey of Wood County Inspection Dept. will answer questions about commercial building repairs and improvement--helping answer the question "Do I need a building permit?"

This is a casual event based on Q&A. RSVP to blufftonce@gmail.com. Feel free to bring a lunch. We'll provide dessert!

Have questions? Call Paula Scott at (567) 525-6667.

Develop a business plan to establish or improve your business. Present your plan to BCE judges for feedback and a chance to win up to $3,000 in business expense reimbursement.

Learn how during seven classroom sessions--January 15-February 26--with Kathy Keller, CBA, Director of Ohio Small Business Development Center at Rhodes State College. The completed plan is suitable for presentation to lenders and will improve the viability of your business.

Rehearsal and presentation to judges will give you feedback from experienced business leaders. Prizes will be awarded according to scores issued by the judges.

COMPETITION DIVISIONS

1) EMERGING BUSINESSES
- Three prizes will be awarded as reimbursement for business expenses: $3,000 first place, $2,000 second place, and $1,000 third place.
- To participate, your business must be less than 2 years old OR generate under $20,000 in annual revenues and be located in Allen, Hancock, Hardin, or Putnam counties in Ohio.

2) IMPROVING 45817 SMALL BUSINESSES
- Two prizes will be awarded as reimbursement for business expenses: $1,000 first place, $500 second place.
- To participate, your business must have fewer than 50 employees and be located in the 45817 zip code.

APPLICATION DEADLINES & FEES 

$125 early bird price before January 1, 2020.
$175 when registering January 1-15.
Three $75 scholarships are available for participants ages 18- 21.

Application and payment can also be made electronically or by mail.

Call (567) 525-6667 or email blufftonce@gmail.com to request a hard copy application.

SEPT. 28, NOON-1 P.M., THIRD FLOOR BLUFFTON TOWN HALL

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Melissa Green and Jason Swartzlander of the Bluffton University department of Business Studies will lead a discussion about providing internships for college students.

Learn more about how student interns can be a valuable part of your team:

- Skill and interest areas

- Supervision, training, work location

- Hours per week, weeks per semester

- Paid vs. unpaid internships, for credit vs non-credit

RSVP to blufftonce@gmail.com. Feel free to bring a lunch. We'll provide dessert!

Have questions? Call Paula Scott at (567) 525-6667.

JULY 18, 7-8:00 p.m., THIRD FLOOR BLUFFTON TOWN HALL

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Paula Scott and Nicole McConnahea will lead a discussion about Google Listings, exploring why and how to create an information box for your business. RSVP and we'll bring dessert!

Stay up to date with the BCE and new and growing businesses in northwest Ohio: follow us on Facebook.

June 20, 2019

Help us celebrate more than 10 years of business incubation and share your ideas for the next 10 years!

Have you been a participant in BCE programs? We are reconnecting with clients, donors, and participants in our Business Plan and Big Idea competitions.

7-9 p.m., Thursday, June 20

The Mason Jar at Bluffton Golf Club

8575 N Dixie Hwy, Bluffton

RSVP & UPDATE contact information at blufftonce@gmail.com or (567) 525-6667.

Meet BCE Executive Assistant Nicole McConnahea courtesy of the Bluffton Icon.

Nicole was profiled by Liz Gordon-Hancock in the "15 Minutes with..." series on May 12, 2019.

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READ THE ARTICLE: blufftonicon.com/news/2019/05/12/15-minutes-nicole-mcconnahea

Bluffton Center for Entrepreneurs president Dick McGarrity introduced a new executive director, Paula Scott, at the April 12 Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting.

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The new half-time appointment will be coordinated with Scott’s other half-time job as CEO of the local chamber of commerce. In fact, Scott simply flipped over her badge to show that one side says BCE and the other says Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce. Scott previously served as communications director for the business incubator and has operated her own digital marketing business.

Beth Bish, the certified nurse practitioner who won the 2015 Ropp Triplett Business Plan Competition, announced that Bluffton Pediatrics will move from rented office space to their own building at 122 N. Jackson St. in spring 2019.

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The pediatric primary care practice is currently averaging seven to 10 new patients a week and has interacted with all of the eight children’s hospitals in Ohio. Bish's patients come from 14 Ohio counties, with most living in Allen, Hardin, Hancock, Putnam and Wood counties.

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LEARN MORE ABOUT BLUFFTON PEDIATRICS AT BLUFFTONPEDIATRICS.COM