22 Enrollees in the Entrepreneurial Training Program

Tara Carr, director of the Small Business Development Center at UW-Green Bay, leads the class on Jan. 20.

For the 19th consecutive year, many prospective Door County entrepreneurs started the new year by enrolling in the Entrepreneurial Training Program (ETP): eight efficient, weekly sessions during which entrepreneurs develop plans for business start-ups, expansions and acquisitions.

This year on Jan. 20, a record 22 ETP enrollees started their journey to develop a sustainable business plan. This participation level not only shatters the Door County record, but it’s believed to be the largest for the Small Business Development Center statewide.

Tom Strong, business-development specialist for the Door County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC), works with entrepreneurs individually to evaluate their initial concept and helps to place them on the right path to advance their business needs. During the ETP, entrepreneurs learn to identify customers, determine their needs and develop that information into a feasible plan for starting or growing their business.The program will conclude in late March. The entrepreneurs must then submit the completed business plans to qualify for a grant, and they are encouraged to enter their plans in the annual DCEDC Business Plan Contest to be eligible to win a $1,000 prize, made possible by donations from Associated Bank, Bank of Luxemburg and Nicolet National Bank.