Golf Classic To Raise Funds
For Entrepreneurs
October 01, 2004
Bowling Green, Ky. - State Sen. Richie Sanders knows that one way to spur economic growth in local communities is to encourage and support entrepreneurs. Sanders, R-Franklin, is putting a
partnership together to make that happen in south central Kentucky.
"We need to do a better job in "growing our own' and in creating a better awareness of the value entrepreneurs and innovators bring to our communities," Sanders, an economic development specialist with the Barren River Area Development District, said. "Changing local attitudes about developing and promoting entrepreneurship should be an on-going activity."
To support entrepreneurship in the area, Sanders, the BRADD, Western Kentucky University's Gordon Ford College of Business and Bowling Green businessman David Garvin are teaming to create a fund for entrepreneurial start-up grants.
That fund will be supported by the annual David Garvin Entrepreneurship Golf Classic. The inaugural golf classic is Oct. 19 at Kenny Perry's Country Creek Golf Course in Franklin.
The format is an 18-hole best-ball scramble with a 9 a.m. shotgun start. Cost is $100 per person and reservations can be made through Alex Downing at the College Heights Foundation, (270) 745-5266.
Golf classic sponsors include BellSouth, Coldwell Banker, Franklin Bank & Trust, Hart County Stone Co., Sygen International, TVA, U.S. Bank, US Smokeless Tobacco, Warren Rural Electric Cooperative Corp./East Kentucky Power, Citizens First, Southern Foods, Edmonson Industrial Authority and Bank of Edmonson County.
The Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at WKU and the Central Region Innovation and Commercialization Center will establish program guidelines and BRADD officials will participate in the application selection process. The funds will be administered by the College Heights Foundation.
"It is essential for the University to partner with regional communities to support economic development through promoting entrepreneurship," WKU President Gary Ransdell said. "Our goal is to establish an annual event to raise money to invest in talented individuals who are seeking to establish new business opportunities or to expand an existing business in south central Kentucky."
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