Oil City, PA— The 2022 finalists of the Oil Region Alliance Outdoor Recreation Business Plan Contest have been selected by a panel of judges.
The finalists are:
· Adam Diem of Oil Valley Gravel, LLC. for the Roughneck Gravel Roubaix bike race based in Titusville over Memorial Day Weekend
· Hannah Gamble of Iron Furnace Coffee to expand the business with a coffee trailer to take to events, parks, and other offsite locations
· Theresa McQuaide of Ziibi Fins and Floats for overnight camping along the Allegheny River and pedal kayak rentals
· Erin Wanninger and Marcy Hall for outdoor seating, bike parking, bike fix-it station, and overlook of Allegheny River at Woods and Rivers Coffee Shop in Oil City
All four of the above finalists are in the running for either a $5,000 or a $10,000 prize.
Participants submitted a concept paper judged on the following criteria:
· Relevance/ Importance to Natural Outdoor Recreation Economic Development (10 points)
· Viability of the Business Idea (50 points)
- Need in the region for the product/service
- Thoughtfulness of applicant’s method to resolve the need
- Uniqueness of product/service or method
- Timeline Feasibility
- Assessment and Improvement
- Preliminary budget – associated costs and use of funding if awarded through the contest
- Economic Impact on the Region (20 points)
- Presentation Quality (10 points)
The next step in the contest is the submission of a business plan due October 28. Finalists will then make a presentation to the judges in mid-November. Winners will be announced Saturday, December 3 as part of Oil City’s Christmas Past.
Support for the contest is provided by Venango County Act 13 funds.
Follow the contest progress at www.oragot.com