NBC29Goal to Jumpstart Green Business in Valley

Goal to Jumpstart Green Business in Valley

A competition aims to jumpstart green business in the Shenandoah Valley by paying out a $100,000 prize. It's money that could make its way back into the community in the form of new jobs and technology.

James Madison University's Center for Entrepreneurship will give forward thinking entrepreneurs the start up help to turn their business idea into a reality. "When you're starting something new like we are, we decided, why not be in front of the wave instead of behind it?," said center director Dennis Tracz.

The university is launching its first Sustainable Business Plan Competition. The winner will collect cash and services worth $100,000.

"The number one need is money," Tracz said. "It's fine to provide counseling and information and education. But, at the end of the day, you need money to start a business."

JMU students, staff, and alumni are already coming up with ideas in the classroom. But the competition is opening opportunities in the community at the Shenandoah Valley Small Business Development Center. Local entrepreneurs can compete with business plans of their own.

"They're really out of the box on this, a lot of different ideas just because things are tough right now," said SBDC Director Henry Reeves.

The competition's judges say the creative challenge is to plan a sustainable business that can survive and thrive in the economy for the future.

"That's what we're looking for, something people are passionate about, something that's really going to make a difference," said Paul Bierly with JMU's College of business.

People with sustainable business plans can register ideas in the competition until March 2. Judges will select 10 to 12 semi finalists before a final public competition on April 20 at JMU.

Reported by Matt Talhelm
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