Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce and Bluffton Center for Entrepreneurs will host a business roundtable involving Allen and Hancock County commissioners and economic development directors of the two counties.

The roundtable, set for 8:45 a.m., Friday, Nov. 14, follows the monthly Bluffton chamber breakfast held from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. also in the town hall.

Both events are open to the public and take place in the third floor of the Bluffton town hall, 154 N. Main St., Bluffton.

As Bluffton has grown in the past five years so has its challenge of existing in two counties. The forum is an invitation for a get-together and broader discussion.

“As a village in two counties, Bluffton relates to Hancock and Allen elected and economic development officials. This informal setting provides a meeting place – perhaps the first-ever meeting of these groups,” said Fred Steiner of the Bluffton chamber.

He added that the roundtable offers an opportunity for representatives from each group to briefly explain their roles, discuss common issues, and look for ways to improvement relationships with the community of Bluffton.

About the sponsoring organizations

Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce is an organization of 190 members. It a free monthly breakfast meeting followed by workshops on specific topics. The workshops are co-sponsored by the chamber and BCE. Previous workshop topics have included sessions on Quick Books, social media, intellectual property, marketing, and promotion of Bluffton.

Bluffton Center for Entrepreneurs, a 501 (c) 3 organization and small business incubator, covers Allen, Hancock, Hardin and Putnam counties. It holds an annual Ropp Triplett Business Plan competition offering business start up cash prizes of $6,000. BCE has replaced the Bluffton Community Improvement Corporation as the vehicle for support of business growth in the community.