The Hart County Chamber of Commerce has been looking for ways to bring new businesses into the county.    The 4-H Youth Development Agent and the Hart County Chamber Director decided to focus on a younger audience to see if an Entrepreneur Program would help youth start thinking about establishing businesses in the county.  In November, the Hart County 4-H Program collaborated with the Chamber of Commerce to offer the Entrepreneur Challenge (E-Challenge)  Program for 7th -12th grade students.  Limestone Bank agreed to sponsor the program and award over $500 in prize money to some of the best youth entrepreneur ideas in order to help them get their business established.  

For eight weeks, students met after school to learn about starting their own business and the concept of entrepreneurship.  Each session introduced a new topic on business including marketing, product development, writing a business plan and product pricing vs. cost.  Guest speakers from local successful businesses were  brought in to talk to the students about their experiences of starting a business.  The students also had the opportunity to visit  local businesses to see how they got started.  Through this process, students developed a business idea of their own and formally presented it before a "Shark Tank like" panel of community  leaders who determined which projects received funding.  

Twelve students enrolled in the eight week program.  They developed and created products and services to establish their own businesses and presented those ideas to the "Shark Tank like" panel.  At the conclusion of the program 100% of the students gained knowledge in the area of entrepreneurship and starting their own business.   92% of the students improved their communications skills by practicing and preparing for their presentations.  At the end of the program five students were awarded $500 in cash to continue or enhance the development of their business.  Without this program and  funding some students would not have had the opportunity to establish their business.  Students have set up their businesses at local festivals and entrepreneur fairs in the county.  The Assistant School Superintendent said "This program has provided an amazing opportunity for students to be creative and innovative. Not only were the students immersed in business practices and able to gain expertise from business leaders in the community, but they also learned public speaking and presentation skills."