Carol Johnson, Southern Indiana Business Report
SHOALS – Momentum is building to bring a business and entrepreneurship program for high school students to Martin County.
The Martin County Alliance for Economic Growth is leading the effort along with a group of community leaders to launch a CEO program for juniors and seniors at Shoals and Loogootee high schools starting in the fall of 2024.
The CEO program was developed by the Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship in Effingham, Illinois. According to the Midland Institute website, students accepted into the program meet every day for 90 minutes. Over the course of the year, they visit area businesses, learn from guest speakers, participate in a class business, write business plans, and start and operate their own businesses. Business concepts and skills learned through the experiential CEO class include problem-solving, teamwork, self-motivation, responsibility, higher-order thinking, communication and inquiry.
Jessica Potts, executive director of the Martin County Alliance for Economic Growth, said 35 investors who will pledge $1,000 over the next three years are needed by Dec. 15.
As of Wednesday, 28 investors had committed to supporting the program. That financial support will cover startup costs to build the curriculum, marketing materials and pay an instructor.
Potts said the CEO program gets students out of the classroom and exposes them to business opportunities in their communities.
Grant Sherfick, owner of H&H Hardware in Shoals, is working with the Alliance on the effort.
“It’s amazing the support we’ve received,” he said.
Sherfick grew up in Shoals, but moved away after college. He recently returned home and opened the hardware store – named for his two grandfathers – on Shoals’ Main Street last month.
“I feel like CEO would have helped me realize my dream a lot faster and that’s my hope for the younger generation,” Sherfick said. “There’s so much opportunity in Martin County, we just need to give them the tools to do it.”
Martin County didn’t have to look far to see the benefits of the program. Daviess County CEO is in its 11th year and has a robust program. The instructor and a few students from Daviess County CEO spoke to a Martin County gathering of potential donors to give an overview of their program.
“What they’ve accomplished is remarkable,” Sherfick said. “Their students are articulate and poised. They were getting questions left and right and didn’t hesitate to answer. Those are skills that are difficult to teach in a classroom setting.”
Shelley Christmas, director of curriculum and technology at Loogootee Community Schools, is excited to bring a CEO program to Martin County.
“This program will get students interested in creating their own businesses, exploring new endeavors and will build more community awareness,” Christmas said. “We are a small rural county but we have a lot to offer to our students and we have more businesses than most people realize.”
CEO will comprise the first two periods of the day; students will meet away from school at a location to be determined.
Launching a Martin County CEO hinges on community backing. Sherfick and Christmas said the county has shown tremendous support.
“We have a wonderful community that is always supportive of Shoals and Loogootee schools and know the future lies in preparing students to come back and be contributing members of our society,” said Christmas.
“CEO is about getting students in the business environment and seeing all the facets of running a business. It’s extremely valuable. It will give kids confidence to stand up and talk about their ideas and what they want to do,” added Sherfick.