Kathy Keller of Rhodes State College Small Business Administration talks with potential entrees in the 2016 Bluffton Center for Entrepreneurs Ropp Triplett Business Plan Competition.

Jan. 13 was a free information session about the competition. Spots are still open in the competition, but the final deadline to enter is Thursday, Jan. 21, according to Fred Steiner, BCE director.

Classes continue weekly for seven weeks in the town hall. This is the 7th annual  BCE competition.

Two divisions are in this year's competition:
1 - Start up businesses or persons with ideas about starting up a business
2 - Established businesses in the 45817 zip code area

Prize money, generated by local supporters of BCE, will be given to winners. In the start-up division, prize money is $4,000 for first place, $1,500 for second place, and $500 for third place.

The established business division offers $1,000 for first place and several in-kind  benefits and support for second place.

Persons interested in information may contact: [email protected]. BCE has an office at 110 S. Main St., which is inside the Citizens National Bank. A staff member is in the office on Tuesday mornings.

Last year's winner was Beth Bish of Bluffton Pediatrics. The 2014 winner was Rachel Davis of Studio Silhouette. She will open a Main Street retail store front in downtown Bluffton this winter.