Norfolk County’s Tourism and Economic Development Department, in partnership with local sponsors, has funded 39 student businesses through the municipality’s Student Start Up Program (SSUP).
Students in Grades 6 to 12 applied to the program in mid June. This year, 97 student businesses applied to the program. There was enough funding for 39 recipients.
This year’s sponsors are: Norfolk County, Venture Norfolk, Libro Credit Union, Rassaun Services, Titan Trailers, EZ Grow Farms, Owl Ops, Picard Foods, South Coast BBQ Fire Pits, G. Douglas Vallee Ltd., Attaboy Window Washing, Long Point Eco Adventures, MyFM 98.9, Norfolk Rotaract Club, Simcoe Reformer and Whistling Gardens.
Additional organizations and businesses wishing to sponsor the program can do so at norfolkbusiness.ca/ssup-norfolk.
Student businesses receive a grant of $200 in June. If they submit a final report and photographs of their businesses by Labour Day, they receive another $100.
The types of student businesses vary greatly. While traditional babysitting services and lemonade stands are among the recipients, others include artisan yarn creatures, small engine service, building/servicing computers, welding, photography and videos, organic vegetables, beach glass art, dog sitting, dandelion removal, woodworking, and blogging.
Successful SSUP participants are posted at norfolkbusiness.ca/ssup-norfolk.
