In 2019, Saugeen Connects launched the Saugeen Student Start-Up Program (SSUP) enabling local youth to become entrepreneurs and run their own summer businesses. This summer, 50 new businesses will launch thanks to the continuation of SSUP. Saugeen Connects is an economic development partnership that includes Arran-Elderslie, Brockton, the Town of Hanover, the Town of Minto, the Township of Wellington North, West Grey, and Saugeen Economic Development Corporation (SEDC). Students from across the Saugeen Region in grades 6 to 12 pitched their business ideas to the Saugeen Connects team and 59 local youth were accepted into the program. SSUP provides the youth with start-up funding and soft-skills business training enabling them to operate successful summer businesses.

“We are pleased to see growth in the Saugeen Student Start-Up Program as we continue to offer this opportunity to young and passionate entrepreneurs,” said Rose Austin, General Manager, SEDC. “After having to take a year off from the program it is gratifying to see an increase in application quantity and quality. This program aims to ignite the spirit of community and entrepreneurialism in our local youth by providing seed funding and workshop training.”

SSUP is a funding program aimed at school-aged youth in the Saugeen Connects catchment area. The Saugeen SSUP includes a virtual welcome presentation with keynote speaker Daniel Lewis, online workshop training, start-up funding, a meet-and-greet with sponsors, and an opportunity to earn bonus cash through active participation in SSUP initiatives. Saugeen SSUP is made possible thanks to member municipalities acquiring private-sector funding.

The summer companies include various businesses within the agricultural, retail, service, manufacturing, and hospitality sectors, plus many more unique and innovative ideas. Watch for these businesses in action this summer and follow #SaugeenSSUP across social media platforms. The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.