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Motivating young entrepreneurs At a special press conference held at the Halton Regional Centre on August 14, representatives from Halton Regional Council and the Ontario Ministry of Small Business and Entrepreneurship (MSBE) recognized the outstanding efforts of the 2006 Summer Company participants. The event was hosted by Halton's Business Development Centre to introduce the next generation of entrepreneurs to our community. Harinder Takhar, Minister of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, also attended to offer personal congratulations to this year's participants. The Summer Company program delivers hands-on business experience and financial awards to enterprising students across Ontario. The Summer Company participants, secondary or post-secondary school students between 15 and 29, provide valuable services while receiving experience that will serve them well to become future business leaders. Programs like Summer Company and Halton's annual Business Plan Competition, which is also delivered in partnership with the MSBE, help Halton's students hone their business skills to make the most of their opportunities. This year, Halton had 19 participants in the Summer Company Program-- our highest turnout ever. The students' businesses ranged from graphic design and photography services, to sports camps and lawn maintenance services. Students are responsible for every aspect of their businesses-- from writing the initial business plans, implementing marketing strategies, and coordinating their day-to-day operations. Additional training and one-on-one mentoring by Summer Company mentors ensures students ongoing support. The mentors, individuals from our business community who provide training and feedback, are critical to the success of our Summer Company participants and I extend my thanks to those people who have given their time and shared their knowledge and experience with our young people. Halton is proud to be a part of building business success, and the partnerships that our Business Development Centre engages in supports our community's continued economic prosperity. Today's young entrepreneurs will be tomorrow's leaders and we value our partnerships with the business community, local schools and the provincial government that support and nurture, the healthy and productive development of our youth. --Joyce Savoline is the chair of Halton Region Joyce Savoline Two Georgetown brothers were among Halton's next generation of entrepreneurs honoured at a press conference at Halton Regional Centre recently. (Top) Timothy Kolenda, who operatates University Student Car Cleaners, receives congratulations from Small Business and Entrepreneurship Minister Harinder Takhar, while (below) Ernest Kolenda, who runs University Student Handyman, is congratulated by Takhar and Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn.