by Lauren Villarreal

FRANKLIN
The Downtown Franklin Association, in partnership with Franklin Southampton Economic Development Inc., is pleased to announce the second installment of STARTUP Downtown Franklin. The business plan competition serves to promote financial assistance and business training within the Downtown Franklin district.

Other program sponsors include BB&T, Bronco Federal Credit Union, Farmers Bank and Wells Fargo Advisors of Downtown Franklin.

Participants in the program must submit an online application, attend six business courses provided by various business instructors, submit a completed business plan and pitch the business to a panel of community leaders. One grand prize winner will be selected with a monetary award of $20,000. One runner-up winner will be selected with a monetary award of $10,000.

The first STARTUP contest ran successfully, with three new businesses added to the area. Taylormade Fitness, Franklin’s Seafood and Steakhouse and the Main Event all opened doors to the Franklin community in September.

For a full list of dates and contest requirements, visit www.startupdowntown.com.

LAUREN VILLAREAL is the Business Development Manager for Franklin Southampton Economic Development Inc. Contact her at 562-1958 or lvillarreal@franklinsouthamptonva.com.