Matching 2017’s record, 16 registration packets for the 2018 Southwest Georgia Bank Business Plan Competition have been submitted to the Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber, and the race for the best business plan is on.

“This is a great time for the SEEDS Business Resource Center and our community,” said Betty Morgan, vice president for business development with the Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber. “Our business community is growing and these contestants are excited for what’s next.”

Whether or not a contestant wins is secondary compared to the amount of interaction, direction and encouragement each business and its owner receives through participation in the competition.

Contestants will benefit from 6 months of planning, writing, educational events and networking to prepare for the “shark tank” judging in the early months of 2018. The winner of the 2018 competition will receive $10,000 in start-up capital from Southwest Georgia Bank. More than $15,000 in contributions in-kind will be announced when the winner is named at the Chamber Annual Awards on February 22, 2018.

“It is encouraging to see such interest in the Business Plan Competition,” said Jeff Hanson of Southwest Georgia Bank.  “Clearly there is an entrepreneurial spirit in this community that needs to be supported.” 

“Past Business Plan Competition winners since 2006 have created dozens of jobs for our community,and this group will be no different,” added Morgan.

For more information on the 2018 Southwest Georgia Bank Business Plan Competition, contact Betty Morgan at 229-247-8100 ext. 234.