A contest to spur economic growth in Athens has local businesses and startups embracing social media to vie for a hefty monetary incentive.
The Start it Up Athens! competition is doling out $10,000 in grant money to a local business or startup, as well as $5,000 in cash to an individual in Athens County. The only requirement to qualify for a grant is that the business or startup must be operating in Athens.
Both the businesses as well as the individual applicants will receive scores based on social media reach and judging by a panel.
Social media comprises 30 percent of the score, while the other 70 percent comes from the panel.
“The point of (the social media) is to kind of demonstrate an enthusiasm for your idea,” said Michelle Stobart, director and senior teacher at Inhale Yoga Studio, which is applying for the business grant.
The first portion of the competition, which includes completing an application and expanding social media, ends Nov. 10. From there, a panel will select certain businesses to present their ideas formally.
The winner will be announced as early as mid-December, said Laurel Zeman, project specialist for the Athens County Development Council, which is providing the money for the competition.
Inhale Yoga Studio’s plans for spending the grant would be to offer at least one free yoga class each week; provide a healing clinic with discounted services such as private yoga classes; and offer off-site classes for children, the elderly, those who are developmentally disabled and those recovering from alcoholism or addiction, Stobart said.
She added that she hopes to use a portion of the funds to make a grant-matching program for other donors to give money.
“(Our goal is) to actually use that money to create more money and more economic growth in our community while serving underserved populations,” she said.
DJ duo Dave Rave is also applying for the business grant, with plans to use the money to expand upon the music scene in Athens.
“One of the things we’re interested in is being able to continue what we’ve started with Dave Rave: bringing national, iconic music to Athens,” said Dave Alexander, half of the DJ duo.
Brandon Thompson, the other half of Dave Rave, added that the money would allow them to invest more in their company and spend more time playing in Athens.
But while Dave Rave and Inhale hope to add to their existing services with the help of the grant, other applicants are hoping to legitimize uncertain business plans.
Solid Ground Farm, which holds workshops focused on sustainable living, has also entered the pool of applicants vying for the grant.
Weston Lombard, owner of the farm, said the money would be used to legitimize the business by equipping it with a solidified infrastructure and hiring someone to help with paperwork.
He added that the money would also help fund an annual program for at-risk youth that is hosted by Solid Ground Farm. The program, he said, costs about $4,000. “We would use a chunk of the money to bring all those kids back again,” he said.
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