Pottsville Business Plan Competition
$18,000 of in-kind services available to help you start a business

Having a viable business plan as well as start-up resources can mean the difference in your business’ success. With this fact in mind, PADCO has created a Business Plan Competition designed to attract more business owners to an expanding list of companies who have chosen to call Pottsville their home.

A preliminary qualifying questionnaire (see attached) must be completed by those interested in participating. Deadline for submittal is March 5, 2010. Entrants who meet the minimum requirements to move to Phase II will be notified by March 12, 2010.

All viable business concepts will be accepted as part of this competition including retail, food service, professional, etc.

There will be three phases as follows:

• Phase I: Preliminary questionnaire – due by March 19, 2010
• Phase II: Completed business plan for Phase II participants due by April 21, 2010
• Phase III: Personal presentation for final candidates by June 18, 2010.
  

The philosophy behind this competition is to attract and retain new businesses to Pottsville. The winner of the competition will be provided with a comprehensive prize package that has been developed to provide immediate and long-term benefits to the business owner and the community. Prizes are awarded to the First, Second and Third place winners: The prize package is valued at $18,000 and includes:

Contributor	Description
Eastern Press	1,000- 2 Color Business Cards
Hadesty's Hardware & Rentals	$100 Paint Donation
Liberty Savings Bank	Business Financial Services
Lipkin, Marshall, Bohorad and Thornburg	Legal Work, Business Start-up/Incorporation Process and Other Services
Northeast Pennsylvania Manufacturers and Employers Association	One Year Free Membership to Northeast Pennsylvania Manufacturers and Employers Association
Nathan's Furniture	$250 of Furniture
OMI Technologies, Inc.	$240 of Technology Consulting
PADCO	$10,000 0% Loan for 5 years (interest @ 5% would have been $1,322.70 over 5 years)
Pottsville Business Association	PBA Membership
Pottsville Parking Authority	Two Downtown Parking Spaces
Schuyl Inc	Development of a 5 page website
Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce	SCC Membership
Sovereign Bank	Free Checking and $100 Start-Up Cash
Susquehanna Bank PA	$300 of Business Financial Services Donation. Checks, safe deposit box rental, vinyl zipper bags, online banking 6 months free.
The REPUBLICAN/Herald	$792.32 Advertising Package - 1/4 page ad
Wilkes University SBDC	$500 Value of Business Plan Consulting
PageOne Website Design	Development of a 5 page website
PADCO	$200 Cash Prize
Perception Training Center	2 Gift Certificates for one week of summer camp at Perception Training Center - Ages 4-12
PostNet	Stationary package / 500-Business Cards, Letterhead and Envelopes