Bluffton Center for Entrepreneurs (BCE) is accepting entries for its 2013 Big Idea Contest open to high school students in Allen, Hancock, Putnam and Hardin counties.
The contest offers cash prizes for the best new business concepts submitted, according to Denise Durenberger, BCE executive director and assistant professor of business at Bluffton University.
A panel of judges will select the winners. Cash prizes of $100 for first place, $50 for second place, and $25 for third place will be awarded.
One of Bluffton’s newest Main Street businesses is expanding again.
Tom and Sheena Dotson, owner of Tommy Tire, 319 N. Main St., have started a new business Tommy’s Trailer Sales. The business is located at 121 State Route 103.
“We saw a need and decided to fill it,” said Sheena.
The new business offers for sale:
• Utility trailers
• Car hauling trailers
• Dump trailers
• Landscaping trailers
• Carports
By Jeff Sprague, president Allen Economic Development Group and board member of BCE
Just last week Governor John Kasich said he wanted to take his State of the State address on the road to “make the work of government more accessible to Ohioans and shine a light on communities across Ohio making contributions to the state’s success.”
The Bluffton Icon’s newest advertiser is ExchangeCore Website Development with an office in Lima. The company offers website design and development services for individuals and businesses.
According to Joe Meyer of ExchangeCore, “We also provide several web hosting options for anyone who is looking to publish their site to the web.”
ExchangeCore is operated by Meyer, a 2011 Bluffton University graduate who holds a bachelor’s degree in Information Technology. His partner, Christopher Hougard, works with clients in Milwaukee, Wisc.
The Bluffton Et Cetera Shop, 111 S. Main St., Bluffton, has several special promotions this year, in anticipation of its 40th anniversary in 2014, according to Chrissy Lugibihl, manager.
In anticipation of the Jan. 18, 2014, 40th anniversary celebration, the shop will celebrate customer appreciation day on the 18th of each month in 2013.
In addition, all children's clothing is now a set price of $1, with the following exceptions: 25 cent clothing and white tagged clothing (winter coats).
