On December 3, 2014 three winners were announced for the ‘Get on the Trail!’ Entrepreneurial Contest for Business Development and Expansion.  The contest was eligible for new and expanding businesses along the Erie to Pittsburgh Trail segment.  This year’s competition had a total of eleven participants that submitted business plans that would provide goods and services to users of the trail. Each of the three winners received a cash prize and service time from Logic Replace LLC. Logic Replace LLC is located in Oil City, PA and provides web development services and marketing.

This years first place winner was Bella Cucina Restaurant located in Franklin, PA. Bella Cucina is a fine dining restaurant owned by Ava Rumpler, located in the downtown retail district.  The firstplace price included $5,000 and 20 hours of service from Logic Replace LLC. Bella Cucina plans to use their prize money to expand their outdoor deck and dining space by 50%. The additional space will include bicycle hooks and outdoor heaters to accommodate trail users that do not feel comfortable going inside the restaurant. The bicycle hooks will add a sense of security for trail users and also alleviate the need for bike racks that could clutter the sidewalk.

The second place winner of the competition was Foxburg Tours.  Kurt & Joanne Crosbie own Foxburg Tours located in Foxburg, PA. Foxburg Tours provides safe and reasonably priced adventures at the RiverStone Estate, Foxburg bike trail, and Allegheny and Clarion River Valleys. Foxburg Tours plans for their $ 2,000 price money include purchasing specialized bikes for mobility-challenged individuals as well as winter equipment rentals. They also received five hours of service from Logic Replace LLC.

Third place winners were Paul and Nancy Newbury of the Emlenton Mill, in Emlenton, PA. The Emlenton Mill offers a variety of services and amenities such as, a hostel, ice cream shop, emporium, and museum. With the various options the Emlenton Mill is a great stop for trial users visiting the region. The owners of the Emlenton Mill plan to use their $1,000 winnings towards increasing the marketing and promotional efforts. They also received five hours of service from Logic Replace LLC.

All of the winners of the ‘Get on the Trail!’ Entrepreneurial Contest are members or current applicants of the Trail Town Certified Network. These businesses have the opportunity to connect them with businesses and organizations along major corridors in Western Pennsylvania. These businesses have been great examples of sustainable and trail friendly efforts. Their trail friendly efforts include: basic bike tools, bike racks, and bike storage. To join these accomplished members of the Trail Town Certified Network please contact a member of the Trail Town Program®.

This event was sponsored by the Oil Region Alliance and funding was provided through a Department of Community and Economic Development grant.