Food Truck Incubator Program
The Bluefield WV Economic Development Authority (BEDA) is accepting applications soon for The Food Truck Incubator Program
BEDA is pleased to announce funding for The Food Truck Incubator Program from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) for $400,000.
This is a region-wide program and collaborative effort with the following West Virginia counties: Fayette, McDowell, Mercer, Monroe, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Raleigh, Summers, Webster, and Wyoming. Applicants that reside outside of these counties can still apply to be a part of the full program (Food Handlers Certification, Business Training, Entrepreneur’s Bootcamp, etc.) but will not have access to the food trucks.
The program aims to place aspiring entrepreneurs within the region who successfully apply for and complete BEDA's Food Truck Training in a food truck for a trial period so they can test their menu and hone their skills. The goal is to mitigate the risk of a steep initial investment for aspiring food truck owners while providing training in menu compilation, sourcing local ingredients, and best business practices while completing the MyBluefield Entrepreneur's Bootcamp "Starting a Business" course.
Those who participate in the program will receive help to obtain their food handler's certification, build a business plan, obtain marketing assistance, truck operations training, customer experience training, and more. Each participant will be able to use one of two trucks the program will provide at different locations for a period of 60 days or for 10 events, to practice on food, menu, and services. (As stated above applicants that reside outside of Fayette, McDowell, Mercer, Monroe, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Raleigh, Summers, Webster, and Wyoming county can still apply to be a part of the full program - Food Handlers Certification, Business Training, Entrepreneur’s Bootcamp, etc. - but will not have access to the food trucks.)
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As part of the program, each applicant will be required to do the following:
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Obtain Food Handler's/Manager's Certificate of BEDA/partner's choosing
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Assistance with Menu Compilation and potentially sourcing local food products with the help of BEDA and partners
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Complete and graduate BEDA’s online MyBluefield Entrepreneur’s Bootcamp "Starting a Business" Module
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Complete a Business Plan with the help of BEDA and partners
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Complete BEDA Marketing Training that BEDA and partners will provide
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Complete Customer Experience Training that BEDA and partners will provide
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Complete Logistics Training that BEDA and partners will provide
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Provide valid Driver's License​
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Complete Driving Course and a drug test/screening of BEDA/partner's choosing
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If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us. The full application will be posted here on October 31st.