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LaunchLenaway reports record LEAP turnout, makerspace usage and business support successes
Summary
LaunchLenaway reported strong metrics for the latest quarter: a record LEAP cohort, 441 makerspace kitchen hours in three months, six trainings, support for 124 entrepreneurs in the quarter, and work on business succession via the "Red Tire" program.
LaunchLenaway presented its quarterly update to the Adrian-Tecumseh LDFA, reporting record participation in its LEAP entrepreneurship classes and substantial use of its makerspace kitchen.
Program leaders said the current LEAP class, which began July 15, will graduate on Oct. 28. The quarter included six trainings on topics such as QuickBooks and franchising; LaunchLenaway reported serving 124 entrepreneurs over the last quarter. The makerspace kitchen logged 441 hours in the July–September period, compared with 125 hours for the entire 2024 calendar year.
Program staff highlighted the annual "Taste of Lenaway" fundraiser, which featured 15 local food vendors, and ongoing monthly networking events run with Clever Ideas Marketing. LaunchLenaway staff also described a "Red Tire" initiative intended to identify younger entrepreneurs and match them with business owners seeking to retire; staff said the program is currently working confidentially with an owner who prefers not to be publicly identified.
A recent LEAP participant, resident Rachel Coulter, told the board the program helped her and her son move from a broad idea to a concrete business plan for a planned game-store and community events space. Speaking to the board, she said the program’s mentors and biweekly coursework turned an informal idea into a workable business plan.
LaunchLenaway staff said they have already begun preparing materials for the next grant period and thanked LDFA funding for supporting programming and operations.
