Press Release

The Baca County Economic Development Commission is hosting the first annual Baca County Youth Entrepreneurship Fair coming up March 23-24. There are 32 students entered with 25 projects from Springfield, Kim, Campo, and Harding County, NM. The students have all entered applications that consist of a business plan outline or a completed business plan. The students that are entered will be judged by a panel of judges in the morning on Friday, March 23, and then will display their projects at the Springfield Equinox Festival for public viewing from 9:00a.m. until 3:00p.m on Saturday, March 24. The public is highly encouraged to come and view the projects in the lobby of the high school, and vote on their favorite projects. The four student's projects with the most votes at the end of the day will be awarded $100 People's Choice Awards.

The student projects include business plans for: Hit "A" Way Batting Cages, Hole in One mini golf course, JRW Lawn Mowing lawn and outdoor services, Brice's Gaming Place providing the latest computer games and services, Steven's Cookie and Brownie Shop for custom cookies and brownies, Rothman Small Engine Repair, Seth's Fencing and Repair because everybody needs a break, Tyrone's Automotive mechanic and detailing business, Martinez Contracting Service for vegetable and onion farmers, Professional Cut providing summer lawn care for your yard, Picture Perfect a scrap-booking and picture framing store, Krazy Kids Daycare Center neighborhood daycare, Jacob's Photography event photography services, Pop Pop Fizz Fizz soda shop and teen hang out, The Animal Barn pet shop, The Retirement Arena a place to rest your aging horse's hooves, Lanes O' Fun bowling alley, Canyon Road Bed, Breakfast, and Spa, Luke's Bicycle Repair Shop for tune-up's and repairs on bicycles, Schroder Diversified Farms, JR's Car Detailing when your car gets dirty who are you going to call?, Majestic Theatre LaJunta, Broce's Nature Retreat relax on a southeast Colorado guest ranch, A&B Websites helping people advertise in rural areas, and The Harding County Newspaper currently run by Mosquero high school students.

The Baca County Youth Entrepreneurship Fair has been highly supported by not only the community but the surrounding area. The Grand prize winner will be awarded $1,000 dollars donated by Ogallala Commons, an organization dedicated to building up the communities that share the Ogallala Commons aquifer. The Reserve prize winner will be awarded $500 by the Baca County Economic Development Commission, the host for the event. Students will also compete for specialty prizes with a total value of over $1,400 additional dollars, and each student will receive a student participation packet.

We would like to invite the public to cheer on the participating students at the awards ceremony that will be held in conjunction with the Baca County Community Foundation Kick-Off pancake breakfast served by the Pritchett FFA students from 7:30-9:00a.m. in room three of the Springfield high school. The Equinox festival will then begin at 9:00a.m. through 3:00p.m.