MBA SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS –2002

1) A) MBA Product – Maple Landmark Woodcraft

Develop a business plan and budget for design and production of an MBA product to sell as a fundraiser for the MBA. Work with Maple Landmark to develop the cost of producing a “building block” representing a prominent downtown building. (MBA will provide list of buildings). The business plan should include all costs for design and production on an annual basis. Plan should present a range of production volumes. Plan should include a marketing and sales plan that includes point of sale displays, bilk sales opportunities, and strategic advertising of product for sale. Cost per item should allow MBA to make a profit at a retail price of under $10.00 (less for bulk sales).

1) B) MBA Product - Danforth Pewter

Same as above but work with Danforth Pewter.

2) A) Freight Receiving and redistribution depot – Mail Boxes

Develop a plan for a freight receiving and redistribution depot in conjunction with the operation of MailBoxes Etc. Freight would be received from a variety of haulers and redistributed by one small vehicle at specified times of the day. The facility would be designed to serve MBA member businesses with the goal of reducing truck deliveries in the congested downtown and controlling the time of day of truck deliveries. Cost of operating the service must be kept to a minimum. Service might be offered to non-MBA members at a premium price. The business plan should consider how operating costs would be paid for and should be kept to a minimum.

2) B) Freight Receiving and Redistribution depot – Highway Storage

Same as above but work with Highway Storage (County Tire) to develop model.

3) A) Filling the retail gap left by Ames – Standard model

Identify retailer or retailers that could fill the gap left by the closing of Ames in Middlebury. The plan should meet the income goals of the owner (provided by MBA), and compliment rather than compete with existing retailers. MBA will provide list of categories and prices of goods that are underserved in the market area. Specific retailers (national, regional or local) should be identified and local conditions (square footage available, location, and lease terms, market characteristics) should fit profile of the retailer.

4) B) Filling the gap left by Ames – Coop model

Develop a business plan for start up and operation of a coop model store that would provide the categories and prices of goods not available in the market area (MBA will provide). MBA will provide square footage available and rental rate. Plan should include coop membership model, identify supplier or supply mechanisms and start up and operating costs for five-year period.