Bel Air Downtown Alliance Announces “Downtown Destiny” Contest

From the Bel Air Downtown Alliance:

BEL AIR – The Bel Air Downtown Alliance announces a new contest focused on fostering growth in the small business community of Downtown Bel Air located in Harford County, Maryland. Downtown Destiny offers the opportunity for entrepreneurs and small business owners looking to launch their first retail location or expand with a new location to apply to win rent-free retail space in the downtown area of Bel Air for a period of three months.

“Downtown Bel Air is a thriving business community that features a variety of niche and specialty businesses,” said Scott Walker, Executive Director of the Bel Air Downtown Alliance. “Consumers in Harford County actively support local businesses, and Downtown Destiny offers the opportunity to grow and develop new businesses, while also contributing to the vibrancy of Downtown Bel Air.”

The winning business will receive retail space in Downtown Bel Air, rent-free for three months, a prize valued at approximately $6,000. The retail space is located at 17 North Main Street, in the heart of Downtown Bel Air. Not limited to rent-free space, the winner of the Downtown Destiny contest will also receive prizes and support from contest sponsors and Downtown Bel Air partner businesses, including:

–$2,000.00 towards start-up costs provided by the Bel Air Downtown Alliance, Town of Bel Air, and Harford County Chamber of Commerce
–FREE 1-year memberships in Bel Air Downtown Alliance and Harford County Chamber of Commerce
–Business planning counseling
–A marketing, public relations and branding Think Tank Session (A. Bright Idea, LLC)
–Retail space fit-out support (Elegant Restoration)

The contest welcomes applicants beginning April 3, 2013 through April 23, 2013. The contest is open to new and established small businesses in Maryland. The Downtown Destiny winner will be announced in May 2013.

To enter, applicants are required to submit a business plan, pass a financial pre-qualification and background check, and complete a contest application for consideration. Applications will be judged by a committee of informed decision makers made up by members of the Bel Air Downtown Alliance, sponsoring businesses and the Town of Bel Air. The Downtown Destiny finalists will be selected for formal interviews with the judging committee following the application period.

The Bel Air Downtown Alliance is also seeking partnerships with local businesses for in-kind sponsorship support for Downtown Destiny helping the winning business best prepare for success. Sponsoring business will be included in all contest promotional materials as well as be invited to be part of the selection committee, inclusion in the VIP party and ribbon cutting event for the grand opening of Bel Air’s newest business.

For more information on Downtown Destiny, visit www.downtownbelair.com/beapartofit for details and to download an application. Interested business owners and entrepreneurs can contact Scott Walker, Executive Director of Bel Air Downtown Alliance to submit an application. Applications will be accepted through mail to 37 N. Main Street, Bel Air 21014 or email at swalker@downtownbelair.com.

Since 2001, the Bel Air Downtown Alliance’s mission has been to promote Downtown Bel Air as a vibrant community destination. A volunteer network of local businesses and prominent citizens, the Bel Air Downtown Alliance focuses on enhancing Downtown Bel Air through the preservation of its appearance, traditions, community identity and economic stability. For more information on the Bel Air Downtown Alliance visit www.downtownbelair.com.