GWC, DWI team up to support entrepreneurs at Wabash Farmers Market

Wabash County, IN – Grow Wabash County is thrilled to once again be sponsoring the Young Entrepreneur booth for the Wabash Farmers Market 2024 season.

The Young Entrepreneur booth allows for local students and young professionals to set up at the Wabash Farmers Market for free. As one of the most popular events in the downtown Wabash area, these entrepreneurs will gain experience in promoting and selling their products and services while also getting their brand out in front of the hundreds of visitors that visit the market every Saturday between May and September.

"We greatly enjoy investing in the future generation of entrepreneurs,” Carly Hawkins, market manager for Downtown Wabash, Inc., said. “The Downtown Wabash Farmers Market prides itself as an entrepreneurial ecosystem, as it's a place for businesses to sell their product in front of the community, forge connections and grow a loyal customer base. We're excited to open this ecosystem to kidpreneurs!"

The booth is one of the many ways that Grow Wabash County is partnering with local and regional organizations to provide opportunities and resources to the innovative entrepreneurs and small business owners in Wabash County.  

Grow Wabash County has also continued its partnerships with the Indiana Small Business Development Center (ISBDC) and the Northeast Indiana Innovation Center (NIIC) to host office hours for entrepreneurship coaches and advisors that can provide free, confidential and judgement free guidance for entrepreneurs at any and all experience levels.

There are also ample opportunities through Grow Wabash County for entrepreneurs to get their start, whether it be through informational workshops and webinars, connections to mentors or even insight on funding options that fit their business plans.  

"Entrepreneurs are a hugely important asset to a community on the rise like Wabash County,” Chelsea Parson, project manager for development and marketing, said. “These folks are the people who bring new ideas, new jobs and new innovations that are crucial to keeping Wabash County an exciting place to start and grow a business. We are proud to be part of the ecosystem that allows for these entrepreneurs to thrive here in Wabash County.”

Young entrepreneurs interested in signing up for a market date to use the booth can do so by contacting Jana Thibos at jana@growwabashcounty.com.