L-R: Jeff Fitch, Wyoming County Business Accelerator Academy Program Co-Facilitator; Lindsey Beaumont and Nick Pankow, Buried Barrel Hard Cider, LLC; Jacqueline Swaby, Arts Council for Wyoming County; Brian and Rachel Lawrence, From This Valley Farms, LLC; Mike Fitch, Wyoming County Business Accelerator Academy Program Co-Facilitator
(WARSAW, NY) A key component of Wyoming County's economic development strategy is supporting and assisting with business start-ups, business growth, and retention. The following businesses recently completed the Wyoming County Business Accelerator Academy program, an intensive custom small business training program offered by the Wyoming County Business Center.
The business owners developed new strategies and action plans to promote their growth and profitability. They also identified their distinct competitive advantage and developed a strategic plan to dramatically improve their business performance. A brief narrative follows on each of the businesses that attended.
Arts Council for Wyoming County - The mission of the Arts Council for Wyoming County is to bring art to the people and people to the arts by providing services to artists, fostering connections between artists and community, and offering a safe space for all people to express self and art. The organization enhances and enriches the cultural aspects of life in Wyoming County. You can find information about the events, classes, exhibits, activities, and more at https://artswyco.org/
Buried Barrel Hard Cider - Located just 1 mile from the Castile Entrance to Letchworth State Park in Castile, NY, Buried Barrel Hard Cider is made exclusively from apples grown at the Pankow Farms family orchard. This is their 5th season serving hard cider and first season with new owners Nick and Lindsey Pankow. Buried Barrel Hard Cider opens for the spring season on Saturday, May 4. Visit https://www.facebook.com/buriedbarrel/ for more information.
From This Valley Farms – A gourmet and medicinal mushroom farm dedicated to growing a variety of mushrooms you won't typically find in your local grocery store. Owners Brian and Rachel Lawrence specialize in Oysters, Lion's Mane, and Chestnut mushrooms, each variety with a unique flavor profile and numerous health benefits. They are located in Java, NY and are passionately committed to sustainable farming methods. You can find their products at local Farmer's Markets and their mushrooms are used by many local restaurants. Visit https://www.facebook.com/people/From-This-Valley-Farms/100093132667479/ for more information.
Guest speakers for this session included Brianna Stone, Tompkins Community Bank; Kim Brown-Webster, Complete Payroll; and Tom Lyon, Lyon Global, who enhanced the learning experience and provided valuable tools and insights to the academy participants.
“The Wyoming County Business Accelerator Academy is one of our programs launched in 2021 to provide small business programming and technical assistance for businesses that want to reach that next level of business growth,” said Jim Pierce, President of the Wyoming County Business Center. “I encourage every business owner – whether you are established or just starting out – to visit the Wyoming County Economic Development website wycoida.org for a variety of resources available to help grow and develop your business.”
The Wyoming County Business Accelerator Academy is sponsored and supported by the Wyoming County Business Center, Inc. Board of Directors and the Wyoming County Board of Supervisors. Program funding resources are provided by the Marjorie and Charles Van Arsdale Family Fund at the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo and Key Bank.
The next cycle of the Wyoming County Business Accelerator Academy begins on September 4, 2024. Sessions are held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Ag & Business Center in Warsaw. Class size is limited. To learn more about the many programs offered through the Wyoming County Business Center and the current class schedules visit wycoida.org or contact Jennifer Tyczka at (585) 786-3764 or by email at jtyczka@wycoida.org
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