Congratulations to the winners of the Oil Region Alliance Outdoor Recreation Business Plan Contest!

First place and a $10,000 prize went to Adam Diem of Oil Valley Gravel, LLC. for expansion of the Roughneck Gravel Roubaix bike race based in Titusville over Memorial Day Weekend.

Second place and a $5,000 prize went to Erin Wanninger and Marcy Hall of Woods and River Coffee in Oil City for outdoor seating, bike parking, bike fix-it station, and an overlook of the Allegheny River at their coffee shop.

Hannah Gamble of Iron Furnace Coffee and Theresa McQuaide of Ziibi Fins and Floats were also finalists in the contest.

Winners were announced December 2 as part of Oil City’s Christmas Past, which also included a Christmas tree lighting, live performances, and an appearance by Santa.

Attendees entered two free drawings. A $200 gift card from Outdoor Allegheny River Services (OARS) for kayak rentals or ax throwing was won by Danny Delong, and a bike from 4 Season Cycle was won by Brady Cubitt.

Contest participants submitted a concept paper judged on the following criteria: Relevance/ Importance to Natural Outdoor Recreation Economic Development, Viability of the Business Idea, Economic Impact on the Region, and Presentation Quality.

In November, the finalists presented their business plans to a panel of judges who selected the winners. Support for the contest is provided by Venango County Act 13 funds. Learn more about the contest at ORAGOT.com.

This article was published in the Venango Chamber’s January 2023 VenangoWorks! Newsletter.