Lambton County’s young entrepreneurs are showcasing their business savvy for the 19th consecutive summer.
Six Sarnia-Lambton area students are participating in the Summer Company Program, a joint initiative between the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership and the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade.
The program provides successful applicants with a $1,500 grant to launch their business, as well as mentoring and training over the course of the summer.
Upon successful completion of the summer program, the six students are eligible to receive another $1,500 for a total of $3,000.
Open to students aged 15-29, the 2018 group of Summer Company Program participants are operating their businesses in Brooke-Alvinston, Plympton-Wyoming, and Sarnia.
The program recruited applicants through social media, radio ads, a display at Lambton Mall and outreach through Lambton College, the Sarnia-Lambton Chamber of Commerce, and presentations at high schools across the Sarnia-Lambton area.
Stephen Thompson, CEO of the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership, noted that there was particularly strong interest in the program from students at Northern Collegiate and LCCVI.
“The Summer Company Program is an excellent opportunity for our team to help foster business across Lambton County,” Thompson said.
“With the goal of making the Sarnia-Lambton area recognized as an excellent place to live and work, these students are seeing firsthand the opportunities that are available in Lambton County, and we encourage all students to keep the Summer Company in mind in the future.”
This summer’s six businesses include a 3D printing specialist, custom made beehives, a multimedia and live event production company, a snack canteen at the Alvinston ballpark, and produce stands in Plympton-Wyoming, and in Brooke-Alvinston.
Student Entrepreneurship Coach Storm Astolfi said this summer’s six students are highly motivated with a mix of unique personalities and businesses.
“This group of young students are gaining great insight into what it takes to build a strong foundation for a small business through a hands-on experience,” Astolfi said of the aspiring entrepreneurs.
“We’re extremely pleased to have this group of students involved and to support their business growth.”
A full list of the entrepreneurs and their businesses can be found below, while more information and the opportunity to interview the students is available through the media contact listing, also found below.
BUSINESSES
Do’Beehive – Aidan Meilleur
Robinson Multimedia – Austin Robinson
Cole’s Canteen – Cole Douglass
Green Ridge Corn – Collin Boyd
Radiant 3D Printing – Jared Waller
Hayter Family Produce – Matt Hayter
FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES
Shaun Bisson Marketing & Events Coordinator
Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership
519-332-1820 shaun@sarnialambton.on.ca