TU School of Business is Part of Local Coalition Sponsoring $10,000 Grant Award to Start a Business

TIFFIN UNIVERSITY, TIFFIN, OH— The Tiffin University School of Business is partnering with The Tiffin Charitable Foundation, Tiffin Tomorrow, and Heidelberg University to bring new business to downtown Tiffin. A $10,000 grant will be awarded as the first year’s lease payments for one lucky entrepreneur to open his or her business in downtown Tiffin.

“The New Business Competition” will have its kick-off at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012 at the National Theatre at the Ritz, 30 S. Washington St., Tiffin.  No advance reservations are necessary.

The featured speaker will be Tom Price, son of “The Cookie Lady” from Fremont, Ohio.  Price will share his first-hand experience of opening a business that started in his mother’s kitchen and has now grown to three locations.

“The purpose of this grant is to promote business in downtown Tiffin that meets the needs of the community and is sustainable long-term,” according to Dr. Lillian Schumacher, Dean & Associate Professor, TU School of Business.   

Applications will be available to anyone over the age of 18, with a serious business plan and a commitment to doing business in downtown Tiffin.  Students from Tiffin and Heidelberg Universities will evaluate applications and decide which proposals are ready to make their way to fruition.  Chosen applicants will be invited to attend a series of workshops addressing business planning, finance, legal structures, marketing, and communication to name a few.  The workshops will take place at the universities during February, March, and April.  

In April, a panel from Tiffin University, Heidelberg University, and area community leaders will entertain final proposals from each applicant.  If the panel feels that one of the business plans is ready to launch, The White Fund of The Tiffin Charitable Foundation, Inc., will make a grant in the amount of the first year’s lease payments – up to $10,000.  

Applications will be available after Jan. 26 at The Tiffin Charitable Foundation, 68 S. Washington St., Tiffin.  Forms may also be requested via email at tcf483@yahoo.com.  All applications are due back in the Foundation office by 4 p.m. on Feb. 9, 2012.