Biddeford, Maine group offers $20K in incentives, including free rent, for competitive entrepreneurs

City business leaders want more company in the downtown and they’ve pooled together three $20,000 incentive package to entice entrepreneurs with good ideas.

The downtown organization Heart of Biddeford is launching its first Biddeford Main Street Challenge, in which three new or expanding businesses will be awarded suites of wide-ranging perks. Before claiming the startup packages, however, the three winning entrepreneurs must go through three playofflike rounds of review in which local judges will evaluate their spark, financial plans and future promise.

"This competition will draw a great range of business concepts, and the committee will select three businesses that will create a draw to downtown Biddeford," said city Economic and Community Development Director Daniel Stevenson, one of the aforementioned judges, in a statement. "By November, we’ll see three great new additions to downtown that are truly set up to succeed."

By Seth Koenig, BDN Staff

Full Story: http://bangordailynews.com/2012/03/01/news/portland/biddeford-group-offers-20k-in-incentives-including-free-rent-for-competitive-entrepreneurs/