Cash and in-kind awards valued at $7,000 are prizes in Bluffton Center For Entrepreneurs’ 2017 Ropp Triplett Business Plan Competition, announced this week by BCE.

The contest's Start-up Division offers a $4,000 first place, $1,000 second place and $500 third place cash awards, in addition to several in-kind prizes. It is open to contestants from Allen, Hancock, Putnam and Hardin counties.

The contest's Small Business Improvement Division open to established businesses located the 45817 zip area, offers a $1,000 first place cash prize, in addition to several in-kind prizes.

This is BCE’s ninth business plan competition and it recognizes the late Ropp Triplett, long-time Bluffton industrial leader and entrepreneur.

The 2016 Start-up Division winner was Easter House Bed and Breakfast of Ada. The Small Business Improvement Division winner was The Dough Hook of Bluffton.

“The competition teaches start-up businesses how to write a business plan that will help them become an established business,” said Brendon Matthews, BCE board president.

“Entrants will focus on ways to add, grow or develop enterprises, which contribute to increase in sales, traffic and jobs to their business and to the Bluffton area,” he added.

The competition’s initial free session is Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017. It takes place, as all session, in the Bluffton town hall third floor meeting room. All sessions are from 6 to 8 p.m.

Kathy Keller, director, Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Lima, instructs all sessions with class dates and themes following:

Jan. 11: “Launch Your Business Right (free session)
Jan. 18: “So You Want to be an Entrepreneur” (fees and applications due)
Jan. 25: “Planning to Start a Business”
Feb. 1: “Developing Your Business Idea”
Feb. 8: “Testing Your Business Idea and Getting it to Market”
Feb. 15: “Accounting for Your Business”
Feb. 22: “Financing Your Business”
March 8-9: Business plan dress rehearsal
March 15-16: Business plan presentation to judges
March 23: Bluffton Oscars Mix and Mingle – winners announced

To enter the competition, contestants must complete an entry form and submit a $150 application fee. The fee for college student to enter is $75. The deadline to enter the contest is Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017. Early bird registration by Dec. 31, 2016, is $125.

The application form and information sheet are attachments below.