Born of a member’s self-described “wacky idea,” Grow! Highland County will be present this Saturday at Lowe’s, available to any and all who would like to check out the grassroots organization that helps grow business in the county.

That “wacky idea” of doing something as simple as setting up a table at a local business belongs to Grow! volunteer and board member John Neumann. He said the organization made itself available in such a way last month and will do so again on Saturday, April 16 at Lowe’s from 1-4 p.m. There are tentative plans to do the same in May and June as well, he said.

After a couple more times, Neumann said, the organization will evaluate the success of the “experiment” and decide whether to plan more public appearances of those involved in the organization.

Pete Pence, Grow! Highland County’s enterprise facilitator, said, “It’s an opportunity for anybody with a business idea to come and find out about the program and see what Grow! has to offer.”

Grow! Highland County is a free and confidential program and helps those wanting to start a business, or expand an existing business, by focusing on product, finance and marketing. Clients are matched with the organization’s network of people with various backgrounds and skill sets to help them achieve what they are setting out to do.

Pence said Grow! is currently working to obtain its 501(c)3 status. The organization has for some time also been working toward being self-sustaining and independent of the need for grant money, Pence said.

To that end, a fundraising golf outing is planned for April 30 at the Hillsboro Elks. It is a scramble format, Pence said, with a tee times at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Hole sponsorships are $100 and team sponsorships are $200. All proceeds benefit Grow!. For information about the tournament, see the contact information below.

For more information about Grow! Highland County, go to GrowHighlandCounty.org, the organization’s Facebook page, call Pence at 937-403-1488, or email him at [email protected].

Reach Angela Shepherd at 937-393-3456, ext. 1681, or on Twitter @wordyshepherd.