Stark Business911

Have an urgent business need and don't know how to fix it? Want to take advantage of a business opportunity but need additional funding? Stark Business911 can help!

Strengthening Stark just launched Stark Business911 , a central portal for Stark County businesses to help them identify, understand and access services and resources for their business needs. The portal was developed as part of our county-wide effort to make Stark County exceptionally friendly to business leaders and people seeking meaningful work opportunities. Stark Business911 was designed in partnership with local leaders representing economic development entities, chambers of commerces, K-12 and post-secondary education systems, local municipalities and nonprofit and social sector agencies.

Stark Business911 provides a wide array of resources including a properties database, infrastructure map, local career opportunities, small business loan lenders and phone numbers of local people who are eager and ready to help you and your business. Whether you have been in business for decades or are in the early stages of starting a business, Stark Business911 can help!
August 14: Stark County Entrepreneur Showcase

Come meet the first cohort of local entrepreneurs in the Stark County Impact Program, a 12-week business assistance program provided by JumpStart in the Canton Innovation District. During their culminating showcase on August 14, they will pitch to an expert panel for a chance to win $10,000 to grow their business.
October 25: THINKBIG

Strengthening Stark and Stark Community Foundation are teaming up to host THINK BIG: a day of engaging community conversations. The county-wide event is designed to give residents a voice and find real solutions to real problems while celebrating the good in Stark County. Join us for honest discussions on housing, mental health, childcare and more.
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Summer Youth Employment Program

Nearly 40 local high school students, between the ages of 16 to 18, are participating in a summer employment program hosted by the Stark County Community Action Agency. In collaboration with the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, the program aims to provide students with soft-skills and leadership training. Strengthening Stark, along with many other Stark County businesses and organizations, committed to hire a student and expose them to business concepts, training and mentoring. The goal by the end of the summer is to ensure the students know what it takes to work for a Stark County business, acquire the skills needed to work within a corporate, nonprofit, education or government environment while developing lasting relationships with their host employer.

Karief Culler, an incoming junior at St. Thomas Aquinas High School, is part of the program and is working alongside the Strengthening Stark team this summer. He loves architecture, graphic design and football. He joined the team in June and will work 30 hours a week until August 9, helping with social media, graphic design projects and the Stark Business911 platform.

Join us in welcoming Karief Culler!

Our Stark Story: Aziah and Daziah Green

Identical twin sisters Aziah and Daziah Green have always been connected on ideas, thoughts and creativity. Aziah's passion for the arts and Daziah's interest in business led them to start their own company: Double Customs, a fashion business and movement.
Want to get involved? Let us know!

Contact us at (330) 453-562 8 or info@strengtheningstark.com if you want to get involved. We would love to chat about how you can play a role in Strengthening Stark County.

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Need a crash course in Strengthening Stark? The Canton Repository has you covered! Visit the Rep's website for a quick and easy to access page with links to every Strengthening Stark story written by the paper since the initial report was published in 2017.