Epic Program For Student Startups Renewed

The South Baldwin Chamber Foundation and Coastal Alabama Business Chamber are again hosting the Entrepreneur Program Impacting Communities (EPIC) this fall. Inaugurated last year, EPIC is a year-long interactive and educational business program that teaches students the fundamentals of starting a business, offers networking opportunities and grants resources and funding for student startups. The program is expected to grow from its first year, which provided individual business mentorship and collaborative learning experiences and granted $3,000 to the student startups. The goal is “to see representation from each school in South Baldwin County,” said Tara McMeans, EPIC facilitator. The after-school program will be offered to students in grades 7-12 in the county. Students interested in starting their own business should apply before the July 31 deadline. Once accepted, they will have access to an online business-based curriculum, be paired with a mentor and participate in a monthly in-person meeting with a guest speaker at Coastal Alabama Community College in Gulf Shores. EPIC is also looking for individuals interested in mentor volunteers and businesses looking to sponsor. Tax-deductible sponsorships start at $50.