FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Krista Buckel
859-231-0054 x. 1034
FULTON, KY. (July 25, 2024) – During Fulton’s first Christmas in July, Community Ventures, Fulton, KY Tourism, and the Twin Cities Chamber of Commerce today celebrated the grand opening of Ventures Village, Fulton’s new business incubator for crafters and artisans.
“Small businesses are the lifeblood of communities and provide 42 percent of employment for Kentuckians,” said Brenda Weaver, Community Ventures President of Lending and Western Kentucky Disaster Recovery. “We’re excited to launch this incubator alongside our partners to assist artisan and crafter entrepreneurs in launching and sustaining their business dreams.”
“Ventures Village is where small-town Kentucky dreams take root and flourish,” said Fulton City Manager Mike Gunn. “The Village is a way of cultivating tomorrow’s thriving businesses combined with a touristic feel. Small businesses offer one-of-a-kind products and services, fostering a sense of community pride and attracting visitors. They become the heart and soul of a town’s charm. Ventures Village will be a great injection into the economic engine in Downtown Fulton.”
Ventures Village is designed to help small businesses sustain success by providing affordable commercial space in a high-traffic location, marketing, technical assistance, and business training. It also covers the cost of business licensing to help small businesses turn their passion into a thriving enterprise.
“Entrepreneurs face many challenges when launching a business,” said Judge Executive Jim Martin. “Ventures Village will support our business owners, give our community access to more products, and strengthen the economy of Fulton County.”
Ventures Village is proud to welcome entrepreneurs Bonnie Moore and Tyresha Reaves as members of Fulton’s new business incubator, Ventures Village. Moore owns Crafts by Bonnie Lou which offers beautiful, handmade jewelry, and other custom crafts. To learn more about Crafts by Bonnie Lou, visit www.facebook.com/CraftsbyBonnieLou.
“In 2018, I launched Crafts by Bonnie Lou to give myself an outlet for creativity and to make some extra income,” said Ventures Village Member Bonnie Moore. “Since then, I have been looking for ways to grow, and I am so thankful for the opportunity to join Ventures Village and take my home business to the next level.”
Reaves owns Ree’s Customs, LLC, which creates custom t-shirts, tutus, bows, shoes, skirts, outfits, wine glasses, candles, and various other apparel items for men, women, and children of all sizes. To learn more about Ree’s Customs, visit https://www.facebook.com/TyreshaNicole19.
“Four years ago, I heard about Fulton City Manager Mike Gunn’s idea to open a business incubator and I told him I wanted to join,” said the owner of Ree’s Customs Tyresha Reaves. “I have waited patiently for this moment and am so thankful to be a part of Ventures Village.”
A study by the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that 20 percent of small businesses will fail in the first year, 30 percent in the second year, and 50 percent fail after five years in business.
“We are thrilled to see the fruit of many months of hard work pay off in today’s grand opening of Ventures Village,” said Fulton Director of Tourism Kenney Etherton. “As a public-private partnership, this business incubator will support local entrepreneurs, provide another activity for tourists, and drive foot traffic to businesses and restaurants downtown.”
This small business incubator is located beside the farmers’ market in Fulton. To learn more about Ventures Village or to apply, visit cvky.org/VenturesVillage. Or contact CV for more information by emailing VenturesVillage@cvky.org.
“Ventures Village embodies the entrepreneurial spirit that defines small-town Kentucky,” said Anna Morgan, President of Twin Cities Chamber of Commerce. “By nurturing local talent and creativity, we’re not just building businesses; we’re cultivating a vibrant future for the Twin Cities.”
To learn more about Fulton’s inaugural Christmas in July event, visit https://www.visitfultonky.com.
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About Community Ventures: Founded in 1982 as a community-based, non-profit organization, Community Ventures (CV) strengthens communities and improves the overall quality of life for Kentuckians by supporting job creation, small business ownership, and home ownership. CV is headquartered in Lexington with branch locations in Bowling Green, Campbellsville, Louisville, Mayfield, Millersburg, and Owensboro. For 21 consecutive years, CV has been named Microlender of the Year by the Kentucky Small Business Administration.