Eight months of free business coaching and classes will be available to those with an idea for a business to be located in Valdosta-Lowndes County that will employ university and/or technical college graduates.

This training is part of the 2012 Guardian Bank Business Plan Competition which will ultimately award one individual $15,000 in start-up capital along with other donated products and services.

A business plan is not required to enter the competition. The deadline to register is 5 p.m. on April 13 and registration packets can be downloaded online at www.ValdostaChamber.com.

The competition is an initiative of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber, in partnership with ValdostaState University’s Small Business Development Center and Wiregrass Georgia Technical College to foster new business development that will raise the per capita income and better the quality of life in LowndesCounty.