Contest offers businessowners possible funds for trail related ideas

The Oil Region Alliance is encouraging area business owners to submit their ideas to the 2022 Oil Region Outdoor Recreation Business Contest.
 
The contest is focused on ideas that could better attract and accommodate trail users in the Oil Region National Heritage Area, which includes the recreational trail from Titusville area to Foxburg.

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​"This contest rewards new and expanding businesses that submit solid business plans to provide vital goods and services to users of the bicycle, mountain bike, hiking, water, ski, ATV, equestrian and/or any other type of trail or outdoor recreation," the group says in a posting on the contest website. 

The first place prize is $10,000; second place is $5,000. ​

​To be eligible, the current or proposed business must be physically located within the contest boundaries that includes all of Venango County and spills out south to Foxburg in Clarion County and north to Hydetown, Oil Creek Township and Titusville in eastern Crawford County.

General contest rules and guidelines are available online at www.oragot.com.

Contest timeline
A kick-off event for the contest will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 12, at the Titusville Iron Works, 315 S. Franklin Street, Titusville. Reservations are preferred and can be made by emailing  [email protected].

​By July 15, contest participants must submit an application and concept paper,  providing an overview of their business idea. The paperwork can be emailed to [email protected], or mailed/dropped off at the ORA, 217 Elm Street, Oil City, PA 16301. Finalists will be chosen by the end of July. 

Finalists must submit a business plan by October 28, to the same addresses listed above. 
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Business plan presentations will be held between November 14 to 18 and the winners will be announced during a ceremony at Oil City's Christmas Past on December 3.