Nominate Now for Pacesetter Business Awards

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 18, 2009) − The Kentucky Small Business Development Center is accepting nominations for its annual Pacesetter Business Recognition Program.

The program will recognize businesses that are changing the economic landscape of Kentucky by introducing innovative products; increasing sales and/or production; boosting employment; and serving the communities of the Commonwealth.

The recognition program is designed to honor high-performing, second-stage businesses that are privately held and have been in business for three or more years. Companies that meet the following minimum qualifications are encouraged to apply:

-Employ six or more full-time equivalent employees, including the owner

-Sales meeting or exceeding $500,000

-Demonstrate the intent and capacity to grow based on evidence, such as employee or sales growth, exceptional entrepreneurial leadership, sustainable competitive advantage, and/or other notable factors that showcase the company’s success

Nomination forms are available and may be submitted online at http://www.ksbdc.org/client-hall-of-fame/nominate-a-business-2/. Any third party who is associated with a successful second-stage business is encouraged to submit a nomination form. Additionally, self nominations are accepted. 

The deadline for nominations is Dec. 15, 2009. 

Winners will be recognized in front of government leaders and small business owners at the Kentucky Celebrates Small Business event being held Wednesday, May 19, 2010. Winners will receive a promotional DVD highlighting their business, an award inscribed with their company’s name, a profile of their company in a commemorative program, use of the official Pacesetter’s logo, customized media releases announcing the award and an invitation to an exclusive luncheon.

Ten successful businesses located throughout Kentucky were inducted as 2009 Pacesetters. These honorees include Bella Rose, Celerity Automation, Chaney’s Dairy Barn, City Wide Maintenance of Cincinnati, Comfort Keepers, Digitech Services Inc., Light’s Enterprises Inc., T.E.M. Electric Co., Taylor’s Concrete Cutting Services, and The Combs Group Inc. – CBJ Machine and Hydraulics.

 The Kentucky Small Business Development Center, housed at the University of Kentucky’s Office of Commercialization and Economic Development, is a network of 17 service centers located throughout the Commonwealth that help existing and start-up businesses succeed by offering high quality, in-depth and hands-on services. These services include: no-cost confidential business consultations, affordable business workshops and seminars, research to make informed business decisions, and valuable resources.