As our region’s economy begins to recover, small businesses and entrepreneurs will be the fuel that powers further growth and expansion well into the future.

This in mind, nominations are being sought for the 2010 Excellence in Entrepreneurship Awards (EIEA). These awards seek to celebrate success in entrepreneurship by recognizing businesspeople and entrepreneurs in 55 Kentucky counties—including Russell County—who have created and are managing a successful enterprise.  

The Excellence in Entrepreneurship Awards program is sponsored by Eastern Kentucky University’s (EKU) College of Business and Technology, Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation, and The Center for Rural Development. It honors Southern and Eastern Kentucky entrepreneurs for their economic success, community contributions, and operational achievements in a business or non-profit organization.

Nominations will be received in four categories:

·         Business (in existence five or more years with greater than 25 employees)

·         Small Business (in existence five or more years with 25 or less employees)

·         Start-Up (in existence less than five years)

·         Not-for-Profit Entity (in existence at least six months)

Nominees are judged on the economic success of the enterprise, contributions to the community, job creation, and operational achievement as measured by innovative business practices, superior safety achievement, and superior technology.

To download a copy of the 2010 EIEA nomination form, please visit www.eiea.eku.edu. A nomination form may also be downloaded from The Center for Rural Development’s website, www.centertech.com, by clicking on the Excellence in Entrepreneurship link.

Nominations may be submitted by any individual or business and must be received by the EIEA nomination committee on or before the June 1 deadline. Interested parties can also e-mail the committee at cbt.eiea@eku.edu, or call the EKU College of Business and Technology at (859) 622-2334.