Lucas Murray plans to one day start his own business. Thanks to an internship through the Lorain County Community College Innovation Fund Experiential Education program, Murray feels even closer to his entrepreneurial goal.

Murray, 26, recently completed an internship with ADI Wind in Sheffield Village. As a Wind Turbine Technology major at Lorain County Community College, the internship provided Murray with the unique opportunity to learn the ins and outs of an alternative energy company while also earning college credit.

"Wind turbine technology is a relatively new field, so being able to work hands-on with a local company that's developing products in alternative energy was very exciting," said Murray, who lives in North Ridgeville.

Murray's internship was possible through the LCCC Innovation Fund, which provides awards to businesses that are at the earliest stage of their development - the difficult point in a business's growth before it is mature enough to attract angel investors and venture capitalists. Funds from Ohio's Third Frontier Program combined with matching local support and contributions from a variety of partners are used to make the Innovation Fund awards of either $25,000 or $100,000.

Every business that receives an Innovation Fund award is required to provide an entrepreneurial internship for a student. The program also requires the IF company to mentor, guest speak in classes on campus and work with small groups of students on case studies focused on topics of entrepreneurism and start-up businesses. 

"The focus of the internship program is specifically on learning what it is to be an entrepreneur and to study the realities, skills and qualities that are necessary to be successful," said Marcia Jones, LCCC Work Based Learning Coordinator.

The IF Education Experience was a critical component of the LCCC Foundation receiving a landmark private letter ruling from the IRS authorizing contributions in support of the Innovation Fund as tax deductible.

The internships provide students with an opportunity to apply what they've learned in their college courses.

"Working at ADI broadened my horizons. I was able to connect a lot of my electrical classes and wind turbine classes directly to industry experience," Murray said.

Many companies that are in various stages of incubation at the Great Lakes Innovation and Development Enterprise (GLIDE) - a business incubation center - on the LCCC campus, are also Innovation Fund awardees.

This provides an important connection for LCCC students to emerging technologies being developed and nurtured in Lorain County.

"Not only are our students learning how to be entrepreneurs, but they are learning that the possibilities are endless for the kinds of businesses they could create," LCCC President Dr. Roy A. Church said.

Murray agreed.

"The program has given me the insight and confidence I'll need down the road when I start a business," Murray said. "Seeing firsthand how an alternative energy company can be successful right here in Lorain County has made my dreams seem feasible."

For more information on the LCCC Innovation Fund, visit www.lorainccc.edu/if.