The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

DAYTON - The Port of Columbia and the Dayton Chamber of Commerce and other business assistance groups are working together to present a program next week called Start Up Columbia County. The week of special activities is part of Global Entrepreneurism Week, which runs from Nov. 16 - 23.

"The Start Up Columbia County events are designed to promote and support local entrepreneurs and to develop an entrepreneurial spirit in our youth," said Christine Jarski, Economic Development Coordinator for the Port of Columbia.

Special programs being held as part of Start Up Columbia County include the following: Tuesday morning: Ideation Activity at Dayton High School

Students in Mr. Moore's second and third periods and Ms. Peterschick's first and third periods will participate in an ideation activity which walks them through the steps to develop a business, ultimately leading to products being sold. This is a partnership between the Dayton School District, the Port of Columbia and Southeast Washington Economic Development Association (SEWEDA). Wednesday, 7:30 - 8:30 a.m.: A Cup of Joe: An Entrepreneurial Support Program

Country Cupboard, 330 E. Main Street, Dayton

The "Cup of Joe" program will be launched, in which local small business owners will share information about their businesses, network and receive technical support. This ongoing program is a partnership between the Port of Columbia, SEWEDA and the Walla Walla Small Business Development Center. Thursday morning: The Courage to Leap, at Dayton High School

Students in Mr. Moore's second and third periods and Ms. Peterschick's first and third periods will interview local entrepreneurs about their businesses during class sessions. Students will then create short videos about each entrepreneur. This ongoing program is a partnership between the Dayton School District, the Port of Columbia and SEWEDA. Friday morning: Launch of Lemonade Day, at Dayton Middle School

Sixth graders at Dayton Middle School will work in groups to develop lemonade stand businesses. Lemonade Day itself will be held May 2, 2015, but leading up to that day, students will create business plans and find mentors and investors (the investors will have to be paid back). They will create marketing plans, which include finding a location for their business and setting goals and strategies. They will plan how much to spend, how much they will be able to keep and how much to donate to a good cause.

Lemonade Day is being facilitated by Mr. McCann in his sixth grade classes, working with the Port of Columbia and the Washington Department of Commerce. Saturday: The launch of "Where can you find ithellip; In Dayton!"

This is the first event for a newly formed Dayton Main Street merchants' association. "Where Can You Find Ithellip;In Dayton!" will run through December 6. It includes a scavenger hunt in which participants will enter a drawing to win up to $150 in "Dayton Dollars." Businesses will also offer special promotions and activities during this period. This event is a partnership with the Dayton Chamber of Commerce, Port of Columbia and SEWEDA.

For more information on Start Up Columbia County, contact Christine Jarski at the Port of Columbia, at (509) 382-2577, or visit portofcolumbia.org.