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START-UP Genesee aims to boost entrepreneurial opportunities

By Mike Pettinella

Some of the collaborators that helped create the Batavia Pathways to Prosperity investment fund and other strategies to foster economic development in Genesee County are joining forces to launch a new project -- the START-UP Genesee "Think & Drink" Entrepreneurial Series.

Eight local and state agencies have teamed with Genesee County village business districts to offer the series, which kicks off on Wednesday, Aug. 31, with a networking event celebrating the Harvester Center's 57th anniversary.

The event will run from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Harvester Center, 22 Masse Place, Batavia. Those with hopes of starting their own businesses and others from the public are invited to attend the session, which will feature local food and beverage entrepreneurs.

Sponsors include Canandaigua National Corp., NYS Small Business Development Center, Mancuso Business Development Group, Batavia Development Corp., Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, Genesee County Economic Development Center and Genesee Community College and Batavia Improvement District.

According to a press release issued by the GCEDC, the START-UP Genesee network can assist all types of businesses from early stage planning to site selection, access to capital and product development or diversification.

Business programs in the "Think & Drink" series will be held every few months following the launch event.

The schedule of tours, all free of charge, is as follows:

-- November, Innovation Zone, Technology-based Start-Ups;
-- February 2017, FreshLAB, Food & Beverage Start-Ups;
-- April 2017, GCC, Mastering Your Business Plan;
-- June 2017, Village of Bergen, Main Street Businesses;
-- August 2017, The Harvester Center, Maker Spaces;
-- October  2017, Genesee County Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Start-Ups.

For more information call Rachael Tabelski at 585-343-4866 or by email rtabelski@gcedc.com.

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