APEX Inc breaks ground on new indoor shooting facility

FastTrac alumni Michelle Newgard is breaking ground on a new indoor shooting range in the Corridor. Newgard participated in the Corridor’s entrepreneurial workshop series last year to bring new insight and education to her company, APEX Inc., a manufacturing company that constructs hand guns, rifles and shot guns. APEX Inc. was created in 2010 as a one-stop shop for local firearms, and now Newgard feels the time is right to expand.

“I’ve became involved in shooting sports at a young age,” said Newgard. “I thought the area needed an indoor firing range for locals to practice shooting in a safe environment. Expanding just seemed like a great opportunity to provide services where our competitors weren’t already present.”

Newgard brainstormed her idea and conducted market research through the Corridor’s workshop. Newgard said she left having a better understanding of the new requirements for an indoor firing range. Additionally, Newgard mentioned she made adjustments to her business plan, making more specific changes and adding in-depth explanations to better guide her company towards their goals. Newgard also enjoyed the social benefits of the program.

“The series allowed me to network with other business individuals that I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to talk with before,” said Newgard. “Many of the participants in the program had similar struggles that my business was also experiencing. I definitely left the class with more confidence in myself and also my business plan to go out and purse my goals.”

Newgard is excited for the grand opening of Apex’s new indoor shooting range, and she has plans to continue expanding and also fundraising. The new indoor shooting facility broke ground in April, and it will be located in Fostoria. Newgard is expecting the shooting range to be open sometime this fall.

For more information regarding the workshop series, you can contact Brian Dalziel at 712-264-3474.