FOSTORIA, Ohio — A program in its second year in Fostoria is helping local students not only learn about small businesses, but start up their own.
For the second year, the Fostoria Area Chamber of Commerce is currently holding its Student Start Up program.
Grant funding is used to offer approved applicants money to either start or expand legitimate summer student businesses.
Last year, 10 students used the program, and six of them have returned to continue this summer. Three new businesses also have been started.
"So, those are really neat opportunities that we've seen. And we too have been surprised how many young entrepreneurs there are in our area," said Sarah Krupp, Small Business director at the Fostoria Area Chamber of Commerce.
Approved applicants receive $200 to start their business, or $150 to expand an existing one.
The goal is to provide students with the real-world experience of running an actual business venture, and expose them to money-making opportunities outside of being an employee.
"We know that they're the future of the small business community. So if we can really engage our youth to understand what it's like to own and operate a business, we're very hopeful that then they will be better employees, or stay in our community and start businesses," said Krupp.
If the participants meet all of the criteria this summer, and fill out their end of season report this August, they will be eligible to receive a bonus to continue their start-up after the season is over.