Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann along with the Indiana Small Business Development Center (ISBDC) presented the 2014 Economic Development through Entrepreneurship (EDGE) Awards.    These awards recognize small businesses who work hard each day to grow Indiana’s economy.    U.S. Small Business (SBA) also celebrated its Indiana Small Business Person of the Year at the ceremony held Friday afternoon in Speedway.

Sponsored by the ISBDC, the awards recognize clients of the agency’s 10 regional offices located throughout the state in two categories – emerging and established businesses. Recipients were chosen by their regional SBDCs.

One local business received an award in the Established Category.   Titus, Inc. in Plymouth was honored.  Titus Incorporated is a family owned manufacturer and fabricator.   From the beginning in 1993 their focus has been serving the diverse needs of their customers.  From Rendering (Protein Recycling), Transportation, Automotive, Food Services, Energy, Agriculture, Defense, Construction or others their team is ready to serve.

 

“Indiana continues to outperform our counterparts in the Midwest and across the country for small business growth and development,” stated Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann. “The hard work and innovation displayed by the small businesses honored with EDGE awards are essential to growing our local and state economy.”

In 2014, the ISBDC network helped entrepreneurs create 1,393 full-time equivalent jobs, raise over $111M and launch 215 businesses.

“The U.S. Small Business Administration is proud to partner with the Lt. Governor and ISBDC to support the hard working small businesses in Indiana,” said Stacey Poynter, Indiana District Director.  “The SBA provides access to capital, contracting, and counseling to small businesses across the state.”

According to the SBA there are approximately 28 million small businesses in the United States. Over 50 percent of the working population works in small business, generating over 65% of net new jobs in the U.S. since 1995.

2014 EDGE Award Recipients:

Emerging Category

  • 3 Stories Trading Company, LLC (Salem)
  • Beyond Borders Language Center (Kokomo)
  • ChicagoLand Popcorn, LLC (Merrilville)
  • garb2ART Cosmetics (Columbus)
  • Myers’ Market (Greencastle)
  • New Corner Brewery (Muncie)
  • Rectify LLC (Indianapolis)
  • Sunshine Juice Co. (Evansville)
  • Sylvan Cellars Event Center (Rome City
  • Yummy Cupcakes (South Bend)

Established Category

  • Be Adaptive Equipment LLC (Columbia City)
  • Café Arazu (Newburgh)
  • Competition Accessories, LLC (Clarksville)
  • Farmhouse Creative (Farmland)
  • Klarer Automotive, Inc. (Munster)
  • Mr. Canary (Carmel)
  • Nutrabiotix, Inc. (West Lafayette)
  • Paragon Force, Inc. (Bloomfield)
  • Soapy Soap Company (Bloomington)
  • Titus, Inc. (Plymouth)

2014 ISBDC Partner of the Year:

Indiana State University

2014 Small Business Person of the Year:

Christopher “Shane” Conner, Owner/President
Advanced Technologies in Electrical and Communications, Inc. (ATEC)