Tammy Everts, New Vision business development director, is working to identify potential candidates for the new Yakima Grows program, an initiative to help companies and entrepreneurs develop new products. Denise Keller photo

By DENISE KELLER

If someone in Yakima County has an idea for the next best thing since sliced bread, New Vision, Yakima County Development Association has a plan to assist that entrepreneur in taking the innovation to market. 

New Vision is putting together a program to encourage small businesses and individual entrepreneurs to develop or expand product lines or new inventions. The group is calling the program “Yakima Grows.”

Through the program, a network of businesspeople will help guide participants through the process of turning an idea into a new product or service. The team will help participants evaluate the commercialization viability of their ideas and provide support and suggestions in their areas of expertise.

“The ultimate goal is to help local entrepreneurs with high value ideas get started and help existing businesses expand or improve,” says Tammy Everts, New Vision business development director.

Many details of the program still need to be finalized including the cost - if any - to program participants. New Vision secured a grant for the program, but has not yet determined if the funding will cover all the expenses. 

Currently, the main focus is identifying potential candidates to participate.

“It may be someone in their garage, it may be someone working for an existing company or it may be an existing company,” Everts says. “The big question right now is how do we find these entrepreneurs? We don’t have the answer for that.”

Everts is in regular communication with businesses in Yakima County and is involved with a series of entry-level business development workshops. Through those interactions, she hopes to learn of companies with interest in expanding their product lines and entrepreneurs with ideas for commercially viable products. 

She is also looking at the list of patents held by Yakima County residents in search of individuals who may be a good fit for the program. 

The 15 most promising applications will be accepted. 

“We would love it if all of them were viable, but if we could come out with ten great ideas, that would help grow the local companies or start new ones,” Everts says.

New Vision’s five-year strategic plan includes efforts to provide support services for entrepreneurs. Yakima Grows is a component of the organization’s entrepreneur development initiative. 

The program will benefit Yakima County by retaining existing companies, creating new jobs, and growing and diversifying the economy, Everts says.

The application process is slated for Spring with the program planned to commence mid-year.