Carol Johnson, Southern Indiana Business Report
SHOALS – Martin County is celebrating its successful campaign to launch a business and entrepreneurship program for high school students in 2024.
CEO, an innovative and engaging curriculum from the Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship, will be offered to juniors and seniors at Shoals and Loogootee high schools. The program teaches students to become future problem solvers, business and thought leaders and to develop an ownership mindset.
This week, Jessica Potts, executive director of the Martin County Alliance for Economic Growth, announced that 39 investors committed to funding the program.
“We may be small, but we come together and get things done,” Potts said.
With a steering committee of five people, the effort began in August to raise $70,000. Over the next few months, the group met with community groups and potential investors. Momentum began building for the program about a month ago. Potts created social media posts, which got the attention of local and regional media outlets.
“We went from 12 investors to 39 investors in two weeks’ time,” she said.
The investors committed to contributing $1,000 annually for three years. Most of the investors are from Martin County but Potts said the campaign also received support from investors in Daviess and Dubois counties as well as nonprofit groups.
CEO will meet every day at a neutral site. Site visits to local businesses are a big part of the program.
“These kids have to have a site visit every day for a semester,” Potts said. “This will be a great opportunity to show them opportunities at home.”
Early in 2023, Potts contacted the schools to gauge interest in CEO. She said the schools were excited about the prospect and have been very supportive. Now with the funding secure, the process moves to finding a location and hiring an instructor.
There are currently 70 Midland Institute CEO programs in 10 states. Those programs are in 330 schools and reach 4,000 students.
Alliance office moving
The Martin County Alliance for Economic Growth is moving out of its current office to a new office in Loogootee.
For several years, the Alliance has worked out of a space at the Martin County Fairgrounds.
Potts said the new office at 404 JFK Ave. is directly across from Loogootee City Hall and will be more visible. Executive Director Potts and Administrative Assistant Christine Marley will be in their new office beginning in January.