On November 12, 2007, Lycoming student entrepreneurs participated in an event sponsored by the Williamsport/Lycoming Keystone Innovation Zone (KIZ) and Ben Franklin Venture Investment Forum (BFVIF).  The event was titled Brewing Solutions for the Real World and was held at the Bullfrog Brewery in downtown Williamsport.

During the event, students had the opportunity to interact with two local entrepreneurs by proposing solutions to real business problems presented by the speakers: Jim Kadryna, owner of A Touch of Class, a custom landscaping and floral company in Northumberland; and Mike Hiller, Barbarian Chief of the Bavarian Barbarian Brewing Company, a start-up brewing company in Williamsport.  The discussions focused on employee policies, cash flow, industry
changes and business structures.  Lycoming senior Josh Barnhart, an economics major from Roaring Spring, PA, coordinated the event as part of his responsibilities as the KIZ Intern.  Lycoming faculty Dr. Mehrdad Madresehee, chair of the Institute for Management Studies and professor of economics, and Dr. Neil Boyd, assistant professor of business administration, supervised and participated in the event.

The Keystone Innovation Zone is a state-funded initiative.  In 2005, Lycoming College and Pennsylvania College of Technology in collaboration with the Industrial Modernization Center, were awarded a $242,000 Keystone Innovation Zone Grant.  Through the Williamsport/ Lycoming KIZ, Lycoming faculty and students have conducted market research feasibility studies for KIZ clients.  The KIZ also encourages entrepreneurship education through events like this and sponsors a number of college and regional business plan contests, in which Lycoming students have been awarded prizes ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 for their innovating thinking.   

Josh Barnhart, Lycoming senior and KIZ intern

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