|
KEDB : KCABPC - FAQs
 AGRICULTURE
BUSINESS PLAN COMPETITION
Planning for Profitability CALLING ALL EXISTING AND BUDDING FOOD AND AGRICULTURE BUSINESSES! THIS IS FOR YOU! Come learn more about this unique and once-in-a-lifetime program at any of our ISLANDWIDE INFO & NETWORKING SESSIONS next month in October! (see below for more info) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Q: What is this program and what can it do for you? A: Kaua`i Economic Development Board (KEDB) is pleased to announce Kaua`i’s first agricultural business plan competition, sponsored by our island’s very own Kaua`i Coffee! This program brings together the resources critical to achieve profitability in the food and agriculture industry: top-notch business planning training, coaching & mentoring from experts in the field, networking with leaders in the industry, and access to potential funding, land and other resources. Although the true value of this Competition is in the training and networking, the icing on the cake is the top three winners will receive PRIZE MONEY: 1st prize: $20,000 2nd prize: $10,000 3rd prize: $ 5,000 Q: Why create a program like this? A: KEDB and the leaders on its Food & Agriculture Committee spent the last two years working with the food & ag industry through its 2009 Ag Summit, 2010 Ag Conference and other initiatives to address the question “how do we build strong and profitable food and ag businesses on Kaua`i so we can increase our food security and import substitution and keep more money in our local economy?” And, it was unanimous! From farmers and food producers to landowners and financial investors, the answer was “businesses need to have a strong and properly planned business model, and landowners and investors need a strong business plan before leasing land or investing money." So, the Kaua`i Coffee Agricultural Business Plan Competition brings together all the needed resources into one program to make this a reality. We want you to succeed! Q: Who should participate in this program? A: Those eligible to enter the Competition are: · All existing farming, value-added food production, or ag-based renewable energy businesses that want to take their business to the next level · All those who’d like to start a new business in the farming, value-added food production, or ag-based renewable energy fields We also welcome those businesses to attend the informational and networking sessions if they have a service they can offer to the above eligible businesses, including but not limited to: · Accountants, bookkeepers, grant-writers, lawyers, marketers, web-designers, etc. Q: How can you learn more about this Competition? A: We’re holding FOUR island-wide informational sessions at pau hana time in October to make it easier for you to make it to at least one. We’ll describe how this program works and answer any questions you have. Each info session is followed by a networking reception where you can network with other like-minded people. Who knows? You may find people to partner or do business with or who may have the additional skill sets (e.g., accounting, marketing, legal expertise, etc.) that you may need for your business to succeed. Members of KEDB’s Food & Ag Committee and the ag community will also be present for you to network and consult with – they include leaders representing Kaua`i Coffee, Kaua`i County Farm Bureau, County of Kaua`i, Kaua`i Community College, Hawai`i Small Business Development Center, Syngenta, Contemporary Flavors Catering/Mark’s Place, Pioneer Hi-Bred, Safeway, UH College of Tropical Ag & Human Resources, and more! Q: When and where are the Informational Sessions & Networking Receptions so you can learn more? A: Each and every session is scheduled as follows and the locations are listed below: Informational Session: 5:30-6:30pm Networking Reception: 6:30-7:30pm (light pupus & beverages provided) LIHU`E: Wednesday, 10/05/11 Kaua`i Community College Office of Continuing Education Room 106C&D KAPA`A: Thursday, 10/13/11 Kapa`a Library Conference Room WAIMEA: Monday, 10/17/11 West Kaua`i Technology & Visitors Center Conference Room KILAUEA: Monday, 10/24/11 Kilauea Neighborhood Center Meeting Room If you have any questions, please contact Susan Tai Kaneko at Kaua`i Economic Development Board at stai@kedb.com or (808) 245-6692, or check out our webpage at www.kedb.com/abpc. Mahalo and we hope to see you there! If you want to be part of the transformation of Kaua`i’s food and agriculture industry, you can’t afford to miss this! Mahalo to our partners and sponsors, including: Kaua`i Coffee County of Kaua`i Office of Economic Development Hawai`i State Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism (DBEDT) Hawai`i Small Business Development Center – Kaua`i Office Kaua`i Community College (KCC) and its Office of Continuing Education & Training (OCET) Kaua`i County Farm Bureau and our many other sponsors |
