Heidi Friesen of Emo was the overall winner in Northern Ontario in the Ontario Secondary School Business Plan Competition Awards which were handed out Saturday at ceremonies in Toronto, Kingston, Brantford, and Sudbury.
Friesen finished in first place in the regional competition and then was second runner-up at the provincial level. She received bursaries totalling $1,750.
The overall winner was Michelle Kan of Mississauga, who produced the best business plan and received $2,500 in bursaries for her first-place finishes in both the provincial and regional competitions.
Sarah Edmunds of Hanmer received $750 for her second-place finish in the regional competition while Cooper Robinson of Elliot Lake received $500 for finishing third.
“Each competitor displays a bold, independent spirit—the very qualities that a young entrepreneur needs to succeed,” said Economic Development and Trade minister Joseph Cordiano.
“Ontario’s competitive advantage lies in the skills and talents of our people,” he added. “This is why ‘Success for Students’ is a priority of our government.”
As part of the provincial government’s programs to encourage youth entrepreneurship, Ontario’s network of 44 Small Business Enterprise Centres reached out to 20,000 students and co-ordinated the business plan competition.
Award recipients were selected by independent judges.
“The competition is an opportunity to engage students, parents, and teachers in exploring the challenges and opportunities of setting up a small business,” Cordiano remarked.
“The McGuinty government is working hard to make Ontario a place where entrepreneurs flourish by investing in the skills our economy needs,” he added.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
