NEUSTADT – This is the sixth year running the Saugeen Student Start-Up Program with Saugeen Connects, and the program has provided over 318 student entrepreneurs with start-up funding and interactive training/workshops.
Due to receiving 115 applicants, the Saugeen Connects committee had to make a difficult decision to limit the number of participants to 60.
The 60 students selected have started 57 various businesses, including: lawn care, babysitting and tutoring, dog walking, custom and pre-made jewelry, thrifted clothing and accessories, food products and baked goods, golf equipment and apparel, drone videography and digital design services.
Of the successful applicants, 24 students are from Minto: Abbygale Golley, Aaliyah Cacait, Abbie Osahon, Abdul Almohamad, Arwa Almohamad, Blianne Enriquez, Brielle Chartrand, Brynnlee Graham, Caleigh Lubbers, Cassie Armstrong, Clodagh Mullan, Ella Macrobbie, Evan Riley, Gabby Diemert, Gavyn Moore, Hazel Miller, Jeffrey Gillet, Maddix Matthews, Makilah Orth, Penny Reaume, Savannah Brubacher, Savera Bassi and Tavis McCulloch.
Four students are from Wellington North: Hannah Creamer, Adrianne Dekker, Katherine Bhalla and Sashvind Sri.
Six students are from Brockton: Adelynn Ernest, Curtis White, Emily Van Straten, Emma Lippert, Myla Lippert and Jack Craig.
Seven students are from South Bruce: Brielle Fischer, Carter Wilkins, Chelsea Voisin, Clara Scott, James Fortney, Josh Clarke and Presley Winters.
Hanover students submitted 19 successful applications: Ainslie Salvatore, Remy Salvatore, Aleksander Karasev, Brielle Davis, Cash DeBlock, Daelyn Darian, Drew Thunstrom, Ethan Warner, Everett Ibbotson, Gage Irvine, Xander Irvine, Isabella topham, Jenviya Patel, Josey Wettlaufer, Myla Hilgendorff, Nick Crawford, Nixon Brown, Nora Johnston and Shaylee Allard.
The Saugeen Student Start-Up Program (SSUP) is offered to students within the Saugeen Connects catchment region who are in Grades 6 through 12.
The program is made possible thanks to member municipalities and by acquiring private sector funding, and this year Saugeen Connects has raised a total of $24,500.
“A big thanks goes to our supporters; Bruce County, Grey County, Saugeen Economic Development Corporation, Township of Wellington North and Wellington County,” officials state.
Officials also thank:
– five star sponsors; The Walkerton Legion, Hammond Power Solutions, Blessings to You Centre, Hanover Bentick and Brant Agricultural Society, Hanover Raceway, and Mildmay-Carrick Optimists Club;
– three star sponsors; The Walkerton District Optimists Club, HIPP Entrepreneur (Hanover’s Innovative Peoples Program), Hanover Lions Club, 88.7 The River, Teeswater Agricultural Society, Teeswater Kinsmen Club, and the Harriston Legion; and
– one star sponsors: Minto Chamber of Commerce, Palmerston Lions Club, Minto Optimists Club, RBC, Clifford Rotary Club, Harriston Kinsmen Club, CMR Insurance, Hanover Chamber of Commerce, Buddsteel Architectural Products, and South Bruce Community and Business Association.
“Thank you for your commitment to the youth in the Saugeen Connects area,” stated officials.
They encourage people to “Look for the Saugeen SSUP participants as they participate in your local farmers’ markets, Minto Summer Student Night Market, youth day at the Hanover Raceway and the Hanover Fair.”
SEDC and five municipalities – Brockton, Hanover, Minto, Wellington North, and South Bruce – banded together in a partnership to create Saugeen Connects.
Officials say the mission is to collaborate and positively impact area economic growth, support youth retention and development, support growth and retention of businesses, and integrate efforts to support workforce development and leverage immigrant attraction to the area as residents, workers, entrepreneurs, business owners, operators, and investors.
For more information visit saugeenconnects.com/youth.
