Thursday, July 21, 2005

A regional contest offers a chance to win cash prizes plus the assurance of professional business advise.

Designed to encourage creative business concepts, the Bucks for Bright Ideas contest is accepting entries through Sept. 15. Every potential business venture will receive a one-on-one assessment from the Central Region Innovation and Commercialization Center and Western Kentucky University’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, which operate a business incubator out of the old Bowling Green Mall on U.S. 31-W.

The WKU organizations are co-sponsoring the contest along with the Barren River Area Development District and the Federal Reserve.

“We want to encourage people who are entrepreneurs and creative to come forward with ideas,” state Rep. Richie Sanders said in a meeting with local leaders. “We are trying to change the culture. We’re looking for ideas that potentially will be able to grow into a business and create jobs.”

The best idea will receive $5,000 with $2,000 going to second and $1,000 for third place.

The prize money was raised through a benefit golf tournament last fall at Kenny Perry’s Country Creek Golf Course. The second-annual David Garvin Entrepreneurship Golf Classic is scheduled for Oct. 4 at Country Creek to raise more money for next year.

The contest will help connect creative people with the Innovation and Commercialization Center because every participant will receive expert guidance on developing their idea.

A brochure explaining the contest and complete with an application is available at local banks, the Franklin Favorite office and the Chamber of Commerce. The contest is open to residents of any of the 10 counties in the Barren River district, which includes Simpson County.

The award winners will be announced Oct. 27.

For information or assistance, call Jeff Hook at (270) 991-4944 or Buddy Steen at (270) 792-3414.