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Century Business Challenge Now Open
February 5, 2015
The Century Business Challenge is now open, with the winner set to receive startup money and an almost free business location for a year.
The challenge is effort of Quint and Rishy Studer and the University of West Florida Haas Center for Business Research and Economic Development and the UWF Small Business Development Center.
The Century Business Challenge will be open to any applicant wishing to start a new business in the Town of Century. Business relocations and expansions will be considered, but only for compelling need-based reasons. The winner of the Century Business Challenge will receive a package of incentives to assist with the planning, location, and operational hurdles that often keep entrepreneurial plans from ever being realized.
The package will include:
- A one year lease in the Century Business Center (the former “Habitat for Opportunity Building” in a former school on Pond Street) for $1. The lease may be extended with a rate dependent on the financial condition of the business.
- Up to $25,000 in build-out and startup capital funds to be used for equipment, building upgrades, or furniture from the Studers; and
- Ongoing business mentorship from successful business leaders.
Applicants will first need to submit an application, followed by a business plan that is based on the Challenge timeline and resources. Participants will receive business plan software valued at $90 to assist them with their plan. Following the submission of the business plans, a Challenge panel of business experts will judge each business plan, and the top-scoring business plans will proceed to Round Two, which is a more intensive, elevator-pitch style interview with the Challenge panel.
The Challenge panel will determine the winning business plan, and the winning company will immediately begin the process of working to start, relocate, or expand a business in Century.
Applications are available at CenturyBusinessChallenge.com and are due by March 31. Business plans will be due by May 29.
Pictured: The now-empty Century Business Center. NorthEscambia.com file photos.
Comments
9 Responses to “Century Business Challenge Now Open”
Maybe a business that offers “production” of some type for the area? Then, the location would not be a large concern because people would be reporting to work – not stopping in for business or sales.
People need a good job that pays or they will go elsewhere.
It shouldn’t be too difficult to determine what this particular or surrounding areas need, huh?
Just an idea for the area. $1.00 rent for one year is amazing. Plus, mentors and business advice/ What a great opportunity for someone!
(Too bad we can’t get this for the Cantonment or Molino area. I’d love to start my dream business in these areas.)
@Wake up: because the last time I checked no one goes into business to lose money. What “widget” could be produced or service provided that could benefit Century/surrounding areas? The river is useless for transporting goods and the rail service very inconvenient to that location, in addition the roads in that area couldn’t handle the wear and tear from big trucks that would be used to transport this “good produced”. And as far as services go why would anyone from another area pay more for an outsider to come in when they already have their local companies they know and trust?? Also as far as appealing to “passing thru traffic” who in there right mind would want to turn onto Pond Street? The last time I checked it wasn’t very appealing. Not to mention it’s completely out of the way for motorist on 29. I’m not downgrading the idea because the first step in community improvement is with economic hope.
Come on people…all you negative nannies need to wake up! From what I read this is not about retail or selling stuff to Century residents. Havent any of you ever heard of selling good and services that are made in one place to people that live in another place? If you all know so much why don’t you do something..anything..that could have a positive impact. Why? Because you are all talk and no action.
Maybe Quint and Rishy Studer can build a ballpark in Century with all the Pensacola Maritime Park issues and losing money…just a thought. Build it and they will come.
The problem I see, i my opinion, is that Pond St. has no commercial traffic. Pass-through traffic is never going turn off of Hwy. 29. I understand the need to use existing structures, but aren’t there plenty of empty storefronts in Century already?
I tend to agree. What business is going to succeed on Pond St? Great idea to help start businesses in Century, but don’t see how they would succeed in this location.
Not trying to be negative, just truthful.
Unless the chosen business accepts EBT it will have a very short lifespan. There is very little money in this part of the county and the ones with the money leave the area to do there commercial transactions. It’s hard to turn a profit when your potential customers can’t pay their mortgages and bills. The city of Century needs to aim at appealing to industrial companies that can offer more than 10 jobs. The last thing Century needs is another “bargain store”.
This is a great idea & opportunity for Century. However, Dollar General can barely keep the doors open because they can’t find employees. Food Giant has a constant turnover. Yet someone is expected to start a new enterprise on Pond Street? How many buildings sit empty on Highway 29 from other businesses that couldn’t make it? Ya, good luck with that.
The businesses that could turn a profit in that area, are not the types of businesses that you would want in your community.
People have needs and wants, and that is what sells, bad or good.