The public is invited to the 3rd Annual Barton County Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge on March 8.

This competition for Barton County students in grades 7-12 was created to challenge our youth, encourage our business community to partner with and mentor our younger generations, and foster an entrepreneurial spirit.

The competition and live trade show start at noon Wednesday at the Great Bend Events Center, 3111 10th St. Students and judges will have lunch together to break the ice, and then competitors will begin their formal 4-minute presentations to the judges at noon. The public is encouraged to attend this event to cheer on student competitors and show their support for the next generation of business ideas. The winners will be announced at 2 p.m. There is $2,500 in prize money to be divided among the top competitors; third place will receive $500, second place will receive $750 and first place will receive $1,000 and the opportunity to continue onto the state-level competition. Audience members will have a chance to vote for their favorite and award the People’s Choice to one competitor as well as $250.

The event is sponsored by Great Bend Economic Development and the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce. It is also made possible by a partnership with NetWork Kansas, which holds regional and state Youth Entrepreneurship Challenges as part of its mission in developing entrepreneurship ecosystems throughout Kansas.