The first ever Greene County Business Plan Competition is designed to uncover Greene County's most promising entrepreneurs, explained contest organizer Chris Wathen.

"The mission of this start-up business plan contest is to encourage entrepreneurs in the creation, start-up and early-growth stages of local businesses in Greene County, which will have a positive effect on those aged 1 to 35 in our community," Wathen said.

For this contest, a "start-up business" is defined as a new business within the community, not having generated any sales to date, he noted.

"It can be a brand new idea or you can have a business but want to start another business. ... From a lemon stand to a machine shop, the sky is the limit," Wathen said.

The idea is that the business plan include the youth in some manner, he added.

"Whether the youth become customers or are used as interns, after school help or anything of that nature," Wathen added.

The winner will receive valuable products and services that will help them launch their business, he noted. All prizes are contingent upon the winner beginning the business.

"There's not much to lose. All of the rules have been put in there to try to keep things practical and very easily obtainable here in Greene County," Wathen said.

Some of the prizes include an advertising package with the Greene County Daily World, a Web site contribution, logo design by a local graphic artist, and scholarships from the Greene County Economic Development Corporation for entrepreneur boot camps and workshops, he noted.

Entrants must complete a business plan, along with submitting the name(s) and contact information of an attorney, accountant, banker, teacher, potential investor, or business person, who has helped, discussed, or advised them on the business plan in some way. No set form or style of business plan is required; however, the plan must address the following categories, and each will be judged for perceived viability, clarity, and conciseness by a special panel of judges:

* Operations: Describe the business in sufficient detail to allow the reader to understand what product or service the proposed company will provide, what goal(s) the company intends to achieve, and what skills and resources will be needed. Entries may include non-profit or for-profit entities. Each plan should seek methods for the company to be self-sustaining within three to five years of starting.

* Sales and Marketing: Describe how the company will market and sell its products or services, along with the anticipated costs associated with the plan. This may include descriptions of various media, strategies, pricing and product placement to be used, as well as special audiences or market niches, if any.

* Financing: Describe the company's start-up and operating costs used for the first year, how much total capital will be needed, and how these specific monetary needs will be funded. The proposed business should require not more than $100,000 total to begin, whether through debt, equity, or a combination thereof.

* Local Impact: Describe how this company will positively affect the local economy and its way of life. Although would-be entrepreneurs in any industry may participate, the business may not promote, sell, or use any product or service, which is adult-oriented, including but limited to tobacco, alcohol, or gambling, among others. Businesses may not discriminate against any race, religion, gender, or other governmentally protected group.

* Youth Component: Although there is no age limits on participation in the business plan competition, participants must explain what positive impact or effects from the proposed business are expected on youth in the community. Describe how the company will employ, train, sell to, or purchase from those aged 1 to 35 in the local community.

Entries must be electronically submitted in Word or PDF formats to the Greene County business plan competition at gcbpc@yahoo.com All of the decisions made by a simple majority of the panel of judges are final.

The contest is open to all legal, U.S. residents with a plan to operate a business within or based from Greene County.