The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/619413
The Press-Dispatch Local Wednesday, December 23, 2015 A- 7 Pregnant... or think you are? Call:1-877-257-1084 or Locally Call: 1-812-354-2814 • Free pregnancy testing • Free counseling and info. on pregnancy options. • Confi dential counseling for women & men who are suff ering from post-abortion syndrome. • Residential Care • Health and assistance referrals. • Training and education. • Assistance in getting baby and maternity clothes washpcc@sbcglobal.net www.washingtonpregnancycenter.com Economic Development by Ashley Willis Pike County small business impact: 90 percent succeed or 75 percent fail? In Pike County, 90 percent of the industry comes from small business, defined as those which hire one to 19 employees (U.S. Census Bureau). Shockingly, more than 75 percent of startup businesses fail. Recently, I've been asked "How will the Buchta En- trepreneur and Technology Center benefit Pike Coun- ty? " Understand, the goal of economic development is to increase the assessed value of the county, as a result of a thriving county. The En- trepreneur and Technology Center's sole purpose is to help startup businesses to increase the assessed value of the business climate. Giv- en that Pike County's busi- ness makeup is predominate- ly small business and three out of four business startups fail, Pike County has a lot to gain from the Entrepreneur and Technology Center. The Entrepreneur and Technology Center will offer assistance from the stage of the initial idea to foster ev- erything from prototypes, testing, mentoring, devel- oping strong business plans, to dis- tribution un- til the start- up is ready to launch on its own. Typi- cally, a start- up business is ready to launch in one to three years, depending on the type of industry. Once the startup busi- nesses are ready to launch, where do you think most of them will tie their roots and announce their grand open- ing? That's right, in Pike County! Business owners have a lot of skin-in-the- game and are risking a lot. With the Entrepreneur and Technology Center, the impact will be a stronger 90 percent of small, startup businesses that are thriv- ing and dominating in Pike County, with fewer failed business attempts that make up the 75 percent. Can you imagine how ma- ny more successful busi- nesses could exist in Pike County if the Entrepreneur and Technology Center was here years ago? Let's strength- en the 90 per- cent succeeding businesses and drown the 75 per- cent failure rates with the Entrepreneur and Technology Center. Help support the Entrepreneur and Technology Center be- cause the return on invest- ment will be great as we re- tain and attract young peo- ple, plus other ambitious people who are building their startup business, and the majority of these busi- nesses will start and re- main in Pike County. Thus, increasing the assessed val- ue of the county and growth to our industry! For further information, contact Ashley P. Willis at pikegrowth@frontier.com or 812-354-2271. Pep Band performs From left to right, sophomore Adam Martinez and senior Cody Nalley play trumpet as the Pike Central High School Pep Band performs a num- ber before the Pike Central-Vincennes Rivet boys' basketball game on Fri- day, Dec. 18. Ed Cahill photo Alpha Delta Chapter Christmas meeting The Alpha Delta Chap- ter of Delta Kappa Gamma had their Christmas meet- ing on December 1, at the Iron Kettle in Plainville. Hostesses were Sue Gray, JoAnn Nonte and the North Daviess teachers and retir- ees. Members and guests enjoyed a Christmas wassail reception followed by a deli- cious meal in the beautiful- ly decorated banquet room. Kylie Sluder, sponsored by her mother, Julie King, was initiated into member- ship. Vice-President Janet Eaton conducted the ceremo- ny, which ended by members singing the Delta Kappa Gam- ma Song, led by Rose Rink. Co-President Ruthanne Burkhart introduced Mack- enzie Miller, who enter- tained members by sing- ing "Breath of Heaven" and then led the group in sing- ing "Silent Night." The nom- inations committee and how nominations would be con- ducted in the future were discussed. The current offi- cers graciously accepted the responsibility of continuing another two years. Each Christmas sea- son, the hostesses choose a charity to support. This year the committee chose to make donations to local animal shelters. Members made donations to the fol- lowing shelters: Red Barn Rescue, Washington Ani- mal Shelter, Friends for An- imals, and Dubois County Humane Society. The door prize, a burlap wreath, was won by Mary Fran Bennett. The next meeting will be Monday, Feb. 29, 2016, with the Barr-Reeve teachers and retirees as hostesses. OES Christmas program Family and friends came out Tuesday night to watch the OES students' Christmas program, directed by Carroll and Darlene Clark. Carroll Clark is only able to be at Otwell Elementary one day a week so they began practic- ing in August. WES spelling bee room winners Winslow Elementary School named their spelling bee room winners re- cently. They were front row (l to r): Sydnee Brudette, Emily Green, Blaine Barnett and Nolan Bailey; back row: Reygan Fenwick, Emily Bise, Lillian Mann, Kynnlee Anthis and Dylan Charles. It was also pajama day at Win- slow Elementary School. We're not afraid to shed some light on the truth. 812-354-8500 SUBSCRIBE TODAY! OES second graders celebrate 'Polar Express' Day Otwell Elementary second graders had a "Polar Express" Day with P.J.s, stuffed friends, hot chocolate and cookies. Pictured are: Madi Miles, So- phie Boyd, Hattie Yager, Avion Murry, Kierstin Wirthwein, Collin Ahrens, Rueger Troutman, Anna O'Brien, Corbin Traylor, Abby Boyd, Keith Per- kins, Silas Anson, Jace Kell, Kynlee Jackson, Lila Taylor, Lucy Yon, Tayler Uppencamp, Raeleigh McCracken, Landon Hart, Matthew Baker and Kylee Weathers.