Grow Wabash County names Beth Driscoll Entrepreneurship Navigator for Start Local, Grow Local

Wabash County, IN  – Grow Wabash County has named Beth Driscoll as Entrepreneurship Navigator for its new Start Local, Grow Local initiative, a countywide program supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses from first idea through long-term growth. The initiative is supported in part by a Community Collaboration Fund (CCF) grant from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.  

“Receiving the state’s CCF grant is an incredible win for Wabash County, and we are deeply thankful to the state IEDC for selecting our community,” Tenille Zartman, Grow Wabash County president & CEO, said. “This funding allows us to better support our local business ecosystem by expanding community collaborations, accelerating small business growth, and directly helping founders leverage resources.”  

In this role, Driscoll will serve as the primary point of contact for entrepreneurs across Wabash County by providing one-on-one advising, coordinating educational programming with partners like the Northeast Indiana Innovation Center (NIIC) and Small Business Development Center, and connecting business owners to capital, mentorship, and test-market opportunities such as pop-ups and farmers market participation.  

Driscoll brings more than 30 years of marketing, sales, and training experience to the role. She is an Associate Professor of Marketing and Management at Manchester University's Gilbert College of Business, where she has taught since 2016. Her background includes marketing leadership roles at Charley Creek Inn, the Charley Creek Foundation, and Peabody Retirement Community, along with her own leadership development and mentoring practice. A graduate of Ball State University and a Northfield High School alumna, Driscoll has deep roots in Wabash County.  

“Every great business begins with someone willing to take the first step,” Driscoll said. “My hope is that Start Local, Grow Local becomes a place where entrepreneurs know they don’t have to take that step alone. I’m excited to help connect people with the relationships and resources they need to turn ideas into businesses that flourish and strengthen Wabash County.”  

Entrepreneurs and small business owners interested in connecting with Driscoll can reach her by email at start@growwabashcounty.com or by phone at 260-225-3849. Businesses can also subscribe for program updates at www.growwabashcounty.com/slglsubscribe. Start Local, Grow Local also offers educational workshops, programming, and referrals to loan and technical assistance programs.

About Start Local, Grow Local

Start Local, Grow Local is a countywide entrepreneurial support initiative led by Grow Wabash County and funded through the Indiana Economic Development Corporation's Community Collaboration Fund (CCF). The program is designed to strengthen Wabash County's economy by fostering entrepreneurship, supporting small business growth, and building long-term resilience among local businesses. Focused on the unique opportunities and challenges of rural communities, Start Local, Grow Local provides aspiring entrepreneurs and existing business owners with the tools, resources, and connections needed to succeed. Participants have access to structured workshops, entrepreneurship certification training, one-on-one business advising, professional service support, and test-market funding opportunities to help validate and grow their ventures. A key component of the initiative is a dedicated Entrepreneurship Navigator who serves as a single point of contact for business owners and founders. The Navigator helps entrepreneurs identify resources, connect with partners, access financing opportunities, and navigate the many programs available to support business success. By creating a more connected and coordinated entrepreneurial ecosystem, Start Local, Grow Local is helping local businesses start stronger, grow faster, and thrive in Wabash County for years to come.