Congratulations to the very first Wetzel-Tyler Young Entrepreneurs Development Program graduates!
When I began my tenure as the executive director of the Chamber, one of my goals was to offer a youth program that would provide our area students with an opportunity to understand small businesses and how they support local economies. Tina Rush, our Chamber President also had a similar desire. Together, with the funding of her employer MPLX, the Wetzel-Tyler Young Entrepreneurs Development Program was born.
Thanks to the Regional Economic Development Partnership, and the never ending support of Valerie Piko, Small Business Coordinator for Redp, I was able to participate in the train-the-trainer sessions that allowed me to facilitate an entrepreneur program called Co-Starters.
Co-Starters is a 30-hour, 10-week program designed to walk each participant from the idea phase of a business to a full-on development of a business plan. Co-Starters had the curriculum that we needed to offer a comprehensive program for students with few modifications for their availability.
The Wetzel County Board of Education provided the Wetzel County Technical Education Center for classes. They also identified the students who would participate. The result is a group of young people with great ideas for new businesses!
Participating schools were Magnolia High School, Paden City High School, Valley High School, and Hundred High School. Tyler Consolidated High School also approved the program for their students and will participate at a later date.
Students completing the program are: David Brown (not pictured), Macey Ueltschy, Gracie Ice, Savannah Derico, Mikah Demarco (not pictured), *Cooper Poe, *Reese Hale, Jenna Stillwagoner, Braden Fortney, *Isabella Conner,*Areonna Zarco, *Web Rector, and *Talan Chambers. (*denotes perfect attendance)
Thank you to MPLX, Regional Economic Development Partnership, Wetzel County Board of Education, the Wetzel County Technical Education Center, Co-Starters, all the faculty and staff supporting this effort and to the Hundred High School’s Covered Bridge Bakery for providing a spectacular breakfast to our graduates and guests.
Congratulations students and the very best of luck in your future endeavors!
