Bluffton Center for Entrepreneurs has been awarded a grant of $22,435 from the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation, according to John Bauer, BCE executive director.

The grant covers a three-period and will be received in installments of $7,470 in 2009, $7,495 in 2010 and $7,470 in 2011.

The first year's check was presented to BCE on Dec. 16. Presenting the first installment were Julie Brown, Community Foundation program officer, and Sherri Garner Brumbaugh, Community Foundation board member.

Bauer said that the grant will be used "to partially support a project that is designed to provide personalized training and coaching to at least 15 Hancock County fledgling entrepreneurs for the first several years of their new ventures' existence."

"We are very grateful to the Community Foundation for its willingness to invest in the BCE," said Brendon Matthews, BCE board president. "This grant will be an integral part of our efforts to bring economic growth to this area through job creation. The grant is even more important now given the various challenges facing our communities."

BCE, launched in 2007, is a non-profit business support center. It offers professional assistance and customized mentoring to entrepreneurs and small businesses, especially during the first few years of these businesses. It is located in the Colonial Surface Solutions building, 505 E. Jefferson St., Bluffton.

The Community Foundation was established in 1992 as an outgrowth of a one-time gift from L. Dale Dorney in 1976 to The Cleveland Foundation. The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation has evolved into a foundation with more than 260 funds.

Since its formation, the Foundation has increased its yearly grantmaking total from $465,734 to over $3.3 million in 208.

For more information about BCE, click here.