In 2013, Hutchinson Economic Development Authority, along with other Hutchinson-based businesses and organizations including SWIF, sponsored a business competition called JumpStart Downtown.
The EDA is again hosting a similar competition but this go-round it’s specifically for manufacturing. JumpStart ManufacturingTM is open to anyone age 18 and older who is looking to start or relocate a manufacturing business in Hutchinson by Jan. 4, 2016. The competition is open until 4 p.m., Thursday, July 2 and $20,000 in startup capital along with other prizes totaling $25,000 is up for grabs. Contest rules and eligibility, prizes and contest documents are available at JumpStart ManufacturingTM.
The current manufacturing competition is basically the same competition from 2013 except the references of downtown have changed and the general business category has changed to manufacturing, said Miles Seppelt, director of Hutchinson Economic Development Authority.
“I’m cautiously optimistic we will get something out of it,” Seppelt said. This is a great way to “draw out neat ideas,” he added. The entry process is straight forward and simple and the prize package is a great incentive to apply.
Could this manufacturing competition be replicated in your community? Seppelt thinks so. He’s even willing to send the materials to any community leader who is interested in doing something similar. His only requirement is that another name is used; JumpStart belongs to Hutchinson EDA. It can easily be customized to fit any city.
If you are interested in learning more about how this competition could be implemented in your community, email Miles Seppelt at [email protected] or call (320) 234-4223.
Does your city have a manufacturing or business competition we don’t know about? Let us know!
