Laura Harper, middle, receives award from Tara Carr, representative of the UW-Green Bay Small SBDC, and Caleb Frostman, director of the Door County EDC. Photo courtesy of Door County Economic Development Corporation

Artist Laura Harper of Sturgeon Bay has won $1,000 after taking first place in the annual best business plan contest hosted by the Door County Entrepreneurial Training Program. Harper, who has 20 years of experience managing businesses and creative nonprofits, devised a business plan to develop a communal art house and boutique featuring gifts and artisan-made goods. Her plan also included providing space for creative activities and for offering art workshops.

The Entrepreneurial Training Program is an 8-week course offered by the Door County Economic Development Corporation in partnership with the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. The program is designed to improve a person's potential for business success, and covers topics such as research, marketing, organization, financial planning, and growth management.

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