Twelve entrepreneurs from nine Kentucky counties have been selected as finalists in the 2015 Excellence in Entrepreneurship Awards program and will be recognized at a regional awards luncheon in September at the Center for Rural Development.
The EIEA program—honoring excellence in entrepreneurship since 2001—recognizes and promotes small business owners and entrepreneurs in the region who have exemplified the entrepreneurial spirit by creating and managing a successful business enterprise.
“As a direct result of their efforts, jobs are created and new dollars flow through neighboring businesses, strengthening the foundation and fabric of our local communities,” said Brett Traver, chair of the EIEA committee. “Small businesses, and the entrepreneurs behind them, are the backbone of our region’s economy and the driving force behind the economic recovery for Southern and Eastern Kentucky.”
Finalists in each of the four EIEA business award categories will share their success stories as small business owners and entrepreneurs in Kentucky at a regional awards recognition luncheon on Monday, Sept. 14, at 11:30 a.m. at the Center for Rural Development in Somerset.
This year’s EIEA finalists and their respective award categories are:
Young Entrepreneur
· Abby Scott, team leader, Lake Cumberland Kids, Somerset
· Aaron Roberts, owner, Yard Farmers, LLC, Somerset
· Kelsey Sebastian, owner, Kelsey’s on Main, Jackson
Start-Up Business
· Kim Gardner, owner, Class 101: College Finance and Planning Eastern Kentucky, Berea
· Lidia Godbey, owner/fitness instructor, Turn it Up Dance & Fitness Studio, Somerset
· Blaine Staat, co-owner, Staat’s Bakery, Liberty
For-Profit Business
· Theresa Chambers, owner, Starwood Mountain, Inc., Manchester
· Debbie Dutton, owner, Life is Sweet Café, Somerset
· Garry Conley, owner/president, Minuteman Press of London, London
Not-for-Profit Entity
· Joe Crawford, executive director, Estill County 21st Century, Irvine
· Dr. Eric Loy, chief executive officer/medical director, Cumberland Family Medical Center Inc., Burkesville
· Dr. David Snow, director, Kentucky Innovation Network, Pikeville
“This is the 13th year the awards have been offered to celebrate the achievements of entrepreneurs in our region,” said Traver. “We invite you to help us recognize these successful business owners and entrepreneurs for their accomplishments, which serve as inspiration for others to create growth and long-term sustainability for the region.”
The EIEA luncheon will culminate with the announcement of the award winner in each of the four business categories. A short video highlighting the work of each finalist will be shown followed by the awards presentation.
The program is open to small business owners and entrepreneurs in 55 Kentucky counties, and award criteria is based on the economic success of the enterprise, contribution to the community, and operational achievement.
To make reservations for the 2015 EIEA awards luncheon, call The Center for Rural Development at (606) 677-6000 or register online at http://crdev.us/eiea2015.
The cost of the luncheon is $20 per person. Reservations will be accepted through Sept. 4.
From the Center for Rural Development