Pottsville Competition.
Launch Pottsville will be a business plan contest targeting the Strategic Redevelopment Area in downtown Pottsville, as outlined by the Strategic Plan created through the Continued Progress Project in 2018.
The purpose of the Launch Pottsville Competition, according to PADCO Executive Director, Savas
Logothetides, is to, “Create a non-traditional form of economic development by investing in human capital and encouraging entrepreneurship. Launch Pottsville will aim to facilitate a greater small business ecosystem in Pottsville’s Strategic Redevelopment Area by investing in entrepreneurs and energizing the local business community.”
“This business plan competition is another innovative way Pottsville is reinventing itself,” said
State Senator Dave Argall, “Starting with increased community events, including a partnership with
Yuengling for the summer celebration, the community is rallying together to create a better place to live, work and play year round.”
State Senator Dave Argall, “Starting with increased community events, including a partnership with
Yuengling for the summer celebration, the community is rallying together to create a better place to live, work and play year round.”
Judging criteria for business propositions will include goals such as increasing foot traffic in Pottsville, job creation, providing more goods and services to people living in the city and surrounding community, and filling vacant buildings. In order to accomplish these goals, Launch Pottsville has and will continue to leverage local assets and regional partnerships to finance startup capital, as well as goods and services, to entrepreneurs seeking funding.
Launch Pottsville will be a three phase, nine-month business plan contest in which up to three entrepreneurs will be awarded $50,000 startup capital and approximately $10,000 in pro-bono goods and services.
The Redevelopment Authority of Pottsville commented on the project, “[We are] excited to be
partners in this business plan competition. This non-traditional form of economic development is an
“outside of the box” initiative and one of many the Redevelopment Authority is engaging in to invigorate the commerce and enhance the vitality of our community. We look forward to very positive results from this innovative approach to providing jobs and filling those store fronts currently vacant.”
Details on the official rules and the competition format will be released by early February.
Applications will be formally accepted between February 15th and April 15th, and there will be no fee to enter. Direct inquiries can be sent to Savas Logothetides by emailing info@pad-co.com. Visit
www.downtownpottsville.com/launch-pottsville, and the PADCO or Downtown Pottsville Facebook pages for more information.
www.downtownpottsville.com/launch-pottsville, and the PADCO or Downtown Pottsville Facebook pages for more information.