Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch Tuesday presented Nicolet College officials with a check to continue entrepreneurial programs.
The $25,000 grant through Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation will expand training, mentorship and support services and build more entrepreneurial education. Nicolet received a similar grant last year. Kleefisch said there was a very competitive process to get the grants....
"....$500,000 will be awarded today. There were 36 different applicants for that money. Only 11 made the cut. I'm proud to tell you today that Nicolet College once again get a $25,000 grant to support the entrepreneurship activities of our outstanding Wisconsin neighbors in the Northwoods...."
The college has a number of business-based programs, including a program that was attended by Nancy Brekke-Jones of Rhinelander. Brekke-Jones thought of a way for people with problems lacing up shoes to be able to do so using her product "Replace A Lace"...
"....Replace A Lace is a no-tie shoelace that you can use to take the exiting shoelaces out of your tennis shoes and install a velcro hook and loop staps into your tennis shoes to make it an easy-close shoe as an alternative to laces...."
Brekke-Jones said the class helped her put together a business plan to move her idea forward. Nicolet Dean Sandy Bishop said matching contributions come from Nicolet College, county economic development organizations and the Juday Entrepreneurial Development Fund.