WASHINGTON — Young entrepreneurs in Daviess County have a new opportunity to secure funding for their local business ventures. Daviess County CEO, Inc. has officially opened the application window for its 2026 Entrepreneurial Grant Program, aiming to provide critical seed money to program alumni looking to launch, expand, or invest in a business.
A total of $7,153 is available during this funding cycle. The grants are designed to give young professionals the financial flexibility to purchase equipment, secure materials, and meet other essential business needs, allowing them to scale their operations in a low-risk environment.
The grants are funded through the Bill Turner Daviess County CEO Endowment Fund at Our Community Foundation. The fund was established through the generosity of local benefactors Nathan and Beth Gabhart.
Retaining Local Talent
The grant program directly aligns with one of the core objectives of the Daviess County CEO (Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities) program: fostering a strong culture of homegrown entrepreneurship. To ensure that the economic benefits remain local, the program enforces strict residency and operational requirements. All grant recipients must be current residents of Daviess County, and their businesses must be physically based within the county.
The local CEO chapter has a history of pioneering business education in the state. Originally launched in 2010 by the Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship in Illinois, the CEO curriculum was designed to immerse high school juniors and seniors in real-world business environments.
Daviess County was the very first community in Indiana to adopt the program, which is operated entirely through the support of local business investors without utilizing school funding. Under the mentorship of local professionals and long-time facilitator Bill Turner, students learn everything from foundational professional communication to writing full-length business plans, which they ultimately pitch to local bankers and launch at an annual public trade show.
How to Apply
Applications for the 2026 cycle are currently being accepted. Alumni can obtain application materials by visiting the Daviess County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC) office in Washington, Indiana, or by contacting program facilitator Bill Turner directly via email.
The firm deadline for all application submissions is Friday, August 28, 2026. Following a review process by the organization’s board, the grants are scheduled to be officially awarded in September 2026.
