MCFF/NCF Youth Engagement Grant Used for Entrepreneur Program
Morgan Peterson of Imperial was named winner of the 2021 Hormel Youth Entrepreneurship competition through McCook Community College.
Peterson was one of four finalists for the competition who made business plan presentations Saturday. She received $5,000 for her business, ImpERFECT Confections.
Ethan Graff of McCook won second place and received $2,500 for his Nebraska Pizza Company business idea. Kailynn Rodewald, also of McCook, received a third place check for $1,500 for her presentation of Sweet & Sassy Cakes and Cupcakes.
These three young entrepreneurs, along with Quincy Long of McCook (Strawberry Frog Stickers), spent each Monday evening in August learning the basics of running a business. They also spent an entire Saturday in August visiting local McCook businesses, learning from each business owner. Businesses visited included Sehnert’s Bakery, the Keystone Co-Work Space, Impact Closet traveling boutique, Cita Deli, Mac’s Drive-In and Saltwater Shrimp Company.
The competition wrapped up Saturday as each participant presented their business ideas to a panel of judges in MCC’s McMillen Hall.
Their business plans included information on how and why this business was chosen, a cost analysis including assets and expenditures, projected costs and revenue, examples of marketing and plans for what any money won would be used for.
As part of the competition, winners are invited to participate in the Nebraska Community Foundation’s annual training and banquet in McCook on November 17-18.
The McCook Community Foundation Fund provided $7,500 for a matching grant from the Nebraska Community Foundation as part of the Youth Engagement Grant. Those funds have been used to educate local entrepreneurs over the past few years, as well as provide the prize money for this first Hormel Youth Entrepreneurship Competition.
The youth competition was led by Cultivate Rural Leaders’ McCook Leadership 2.0 group, along with local UNL 4-H Extension staff.
While the 2021 Hormel Youth Entrepreneur Camp has wrapped up, plans are already underway to repeat the contest again in the future.
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