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Business Enterprise Program Successes

The Randolph-Sheppard Business Enterprise Program (BEP), which provides entrepreneurial opportunities for legally blind consumers of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, was recently awarded a large-scale military food service contract at Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center. BEP will be in charge of providing over 160,000 meals to military men and women participating in the seven-week "War Fighters" exercise training.

"Certainly, this task is monumental, and we feel very qualified and confident that we can meet this challenge," said Locket Philips, Manager of Blind and Visually Impaired Services, which oversees BEP. "We believe this will be one of the largest "special events" for the state and the Indiana National Guard to host and are proud to be a supporter for the Indiana National Guard and all of the servicemen and women who pass through this state facility."

The Business Enterprise Program trains and assists people who are blind in establishing and operating food service businesses in public and private facilities across the state. These entrepreneurs, also know as licensed managers, supervise and manage a variety of foodservice operations, including cafeterias, coffee shops, vending locations, and highway area vending sites. Through this program, individuals receive training and opportunities to become productive, tax-paying citizens and independent business owners. The Business Enterprise Program produced $14 million in revenue last year with an average annual income of $41,000 for licensed managers. The Business Enterprise Program employed 238 Hoosiers last year.