Business & Merchant

Last Updated on Tuesday, 22 December 2015 20:43

The Mon River Town Program, in partnership with its fiscal agent, the National Road Heritage Program and its River Town Coalition partners, is pleased to announce the three winners of the SMAART Business Plan Contest.

Each of the winners will be awarded $10,000 each to use toward growing their Mon River Valley small business. The SMAART Business Advisory Council judged applications based on the following criteria: relevance to the economic development of River Towns; viability of the business idea; economic impact on the region; presentation quality; and attendance at workshops.

The winners are:
• Steel Dog Construction, owners Laura and Jason Koon of Charleroi
• Full Armor Fitness, owner Samuel Sokol of Charleroi
• Chaney’s Natural, owner Tanya Chaney of Monongahela

Steel Dog Construction is a full service general contracting company which focuses on residential and commercial restoration, with an expertise in carpentry and redesign.
Full Armor Fitness incorporates the balance of a healthy life style and workout facility for young professionals, students, families and seniors.

Chaney’s Natural offers an array of exceptional services from massages, nails, weight management and herbal supplements in a fun and relaxing environment.

A press event and awards ceremony will be held on Thursday, January 14th at 10 a.m. immediately following a meeting of the Mon River Valley Coalition at California University of PA, Kara Alumni House, 611 Second Street, California, PA. The public is welcome to attend. RSVP by January 10, 2016 to Cathy McCollom at csm@mccollomds.com. SNOW DATE FOR THE EVENT: JANUARY 28, 2016.

The SMAART Business Plan Contest was made possible through a grant from Pennsylvania’s Department of Community and Economic Development and the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation.

Key partners included: the National Road Heritage Corridor; Charleroi Borough; the U.S. Small Business Administration; PA Southwest Partners for Regional Economic Performance; University of Pittsburgh Small Business Development Center; The Mon River Valley Coalition; and the River Town Program.