BUTLER TWP - Eight students recently completed the first of five courses in the new entrepreneurship program at Butler County Community College.

The 15-credit program is offered through the business department and teaches the basics of starting a business.

The first course introduces students to business ownership and guides them through a process designed to identify the best business venture for that student.

Enterprises selected by the first group of students included business to business ventures, a craft shop specializing in Celtic products, a late-night coffee café and a pet shop. The ages of the students in the class ranged from 21 to 71.

The next course offered is the venture start-up. During this class, students will select their business name, choose an entity type and proceed with filing for necessary license and registrations.

Following completion of the second course, students will learn how to market their business and create a small-business plan. A competition will be held to award the best business plan, with winners receiving cash prizes.

When the first group is finished with the entire course in December, class members will be ready to open the doors to their own businesses.

BC3 will begin a new series of the entrepreneurship diploma program in August. To register, call 724-287-8711 or send e-mail to Melody Kamerer at melody.kamerer@bc3.edu.