Area businesses and education leaders have launched the CEO (Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities) program in Jasper County. The CEO program provides real world experience in developing business plans, increasing the capacity for creative thinking and problem-solving, and the issues surrounding the processes of building a business. In the course of the year- long class, students will develop both a class business and an individual business. These are not mock businesses either; these will be real, viable businesses.

The class is modeled after the successful Effingham-based CEO program. The Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship, established by Midland States Bank was formed to establish CEO programs in communities across the country.

The CEO Program will center on a daily class, beginning at 7:15 a.m. and is held in local businesses, not in the high school. Amy Tarr, former business woman turned educator, will be instructing the class. The class has 12 students.

Area business professionals will serve as guest instructors. Every student will also be paired with a mentor from the business community. That mentor will help guide the students learning experience. The CEO class will visit numerous Jasper County businesses in order to give the students a taste of all the amazing business in Jasper County. The program is also completely funded by local business investors.

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