The new business startup program, Startup Moniteau County, sponsored by the Moniteau County Regional Economic Development Council (MRED), will begin with an event in September.
The program is to encourage entrepreneurs to start, and keep, a business in Moniteau County. The first of the planned events is set for Sept. 14. The events are designed to expose local entrepreneurs to resources, which can hopefully turn their idea into an actual business enterprise, through connecting the aspiring business beginners to networking with others with resources.
This first event is a "business mixer" with representatives from various organizations with resources that could help local entrepreneurs "make their business dream" a reality. The plan is to eventually have at least one of these events in every community in the county.
In addition to connecting the business "dreamers" with resources, there is a six-week Launch U course available. There is a cost for this, and Chairman/CEO Mike Kelley suggested the cost for each of the entrepreneurs chosen to participate in the program be paid either by MRED or a sponsor.
Eventually, the events will lead to a "pitch competition" in which local entrepreneurs will be able to present their business ideas in a venue, similar to the television show "Shark Tank." The winner or winners would be provided funds, donated by local businesses, to be used as seed money to start their business in Moniteau County.
The California High School Career Fair, set for Oct. 17, from 7:45-11 a.m., will probably feature more than 40 panels of professionals spread throughout the school. The professional panels will include accountants, engineers, law enforcement, medical, agriculture and mechanics. Each person on a panel will speak for about five minutes about their entry into the profession of their choice and the work involved.
This year, in addition to California students, juniors from Jamestown and Tipton will also attend the California High School-sponsored event.
The committees for Moniteau County business development are being reformed with the new committees being the Business Appreciation/Special Event Committee, the Business Attraction and Development Committee, the Startup Moniteau Committee, and the Workforce Development Committee. Kelley said each board member should choose a committee.
The board also discussed the meeting schedule, with a change planned to begin for the October meeting. The September meeting will continue as scheduled, but beginning in October, the full board will meet only every other month. On the alternate months, each of the four committees will meet separately with Kelley.
The next board meeting is planned for Sept. 13, with location to be determined later.