Supernova Business Launch Competition nears finish line

BREWSTER – Last September a representative from the North Central Washington Economic Development District (NCWEDD) introduced a new small business incentive project to the Chamber of Commerce. Called the Supernova Business Launch Competition (BLC), the project is designed to help encourage the expansion of small business in communities around the NCW region.

Locally inspired

The competition invited entrepreneurs to submit business plans for their new ventures and compete for a $10,000 prize to be awarded to the winner on August 20. Applicants had from Feb. 3 through June 20 this year to submit their plans. One of those applicants is the Pateros-Brewster Community Resource Center (PBCRC) that wants to open a USDA certified commercial kitchen. The inspiration came from local veteran farmers at Tatley Outpost and other local food producers who need a certified commercial kitchen to process and market their products.

According to an NCWEDD media release many NCW communities are struggling with dwindling populations caused by business closures that work against residents’ ability to find quality jobs.

“Entrepreneurial efforts are hindered by limited access to capital, contributing to the region’s underperformance in business creation compared to the state and nation,” said the release. “This dynamic created a negative feedback loop in which small businesses are needed to support the workforce, but the workforce lacks the skills needed for employment by those businesses, and residents lack the capital to patronize those businesses.”

NCWEDD notes that 89 percent of NCW businesses employ fewer than 20 people and 78 percent employing fewer than 10 people according to Washington State Employment Security Division figures.

The Supernova BLC began before the region encountered the additional challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic but has pursued its agenda to identify and support new and expanding businesses that will locate in either Okanogan, Douglas, Chelan, or Ferry County or on the Colville Reservation.

Since January 2020, the BLC has proceeded under the following timeline:

January – Application webinars

February – Business plan submissions through June 20.

April/May – Online Startup Bootcamp

May – Familiarization tour of the NCW region

May/June – Classes, workshops, and business planning resources.

June - Applications review by professional vetting committee

June – Semifinalists chosen

Vote now

Public voting to narrow the 16 semifinalists down to four finalists began July 16 and will continue through July 31. Visit supernovablc.com or the SupernovaBLC Facebook page online to read about each competitor and to cast a vote. Along with PBCRC’s commercial kitchen The Supernova BLC candidates are:

● Yeti Chocolates

● Wenatchi Wear

● Young Warrior Project

● Republic of Sasquatch

● Glamsnaps

● Plant Candy

● Potato Patato Food Truck

● Downtown Bike Cashmere

● 12 Custom Homes

● Low Profile Waterfowl

● Tonasket Tire

● Mima’s Famous Salsa

● Burch Mountain BBQ

● The Miner Saloon & Grill

● Rural Valley Life

The four finalists will be announced on August 3, and the final round of voting for the ultimate winner will begin on August 10 and continue through august 14. The Supernova BLC main event will be featured in a virtual online forum on the organization’s Facebook page on August 20.