01/31/12 aew/ema

HAYS, Kan. -- The Kansas Small Business Development Center (KSBDC) hasannounced the 2011 Emerging and Existing Businesses of the Year. Each of theeight KSBDC selected one emerging and one existing business for the award.

In total, 16 Kansas small businesses will be recognized at a ceremony inTopeka on Tuesday, March 13. The businesses were selected from more than 2,500entrepreneurs who received KSBDC services in 2011.

"The businesses wereselected after careful consideration by our regional directors and consultants,"said Greg Panichello, KSBDC state director. "The continuing difficultnational economy has provided numerous opportunities for small businesses toadapt and prosper in response. Collectively, we feel these 16 small businessesare excellent examples of small business adaptation and success in challengingtimes."

During the last two months, business owners participated in videointerviews, which will be presented at the awards ceremony. In addition, theaward recipients will be presented with a plaque by their state legislators.The award recipients will also be recognized by the Kansas House and KansasSenate. Resolutions recognizing the business owners will be presented by Sen.Tom Holland D-Baldwin City and Rep. Don Hill R-Emporia. Both are KSBDC AdvisoryBoard members.

The keynote speaker for the event is Martha Bartlett Piland, presidentand chief executive officer of MB Piland Advertising & Marketing, Topeka. In1998, she started the company with an innovative new philosophy -- Fat FreeAdvertising™. Her goal was to provide small- and medium-sized clients with"big agency" strategic planning and creative experience. She utilizedthe expertise of KSBDC consultants when she was starting her business.

"The professionals from the KSBDC provide a depth of expertise toanyone thinking about starting a business. I think they've seen it all, so theyhave great perspective," she said. "I appreciated their sound advicein MB Piland's startup phase, and as an established business owner, I find theKSBDC a good resource for objective feedback and opportunities for continuedlearning."

Emerging Businesses of the Year:

Kelli Higgins, owner

Burlington

At-Home Health Care Inc.

David and Teresa Hurlocker, owners

Emporia

The Kitchen and ClosetSolution

Dustin Rupke and Brent Seib, owners

Hays

RoadRuner ManufacturingLLC

Brad and Marie Skolout, owners

Levant

Project Fitness LLC

Joey Kelch, owner

Garden City

The Main ARTery

Jeani Gustafson, owner

Ulysses

Emily Hart Bridal

Emily Miller-Brown, owner

Leawood

hr-haven inc.

Belinda Waggoner, owner
Overland Park

The Wreath Depot

Steve LaForge and Jim Bennett, owners

Tonganoxie

Risley Chiropractic

Scott Risley, owner

Lawrence

Phelps's Hog Heaven

Rick and Carol Phelps, owners

Coffeyville

Kids Kingdom

Mona and Leland Hull, owners

Iola

Billy Vanilly

Allyson Fiander, owner

Topeka

Renaissance Cellars Winery

Tim Akers, Eric Stevenson, Marcia Stevenson and Rich Stevenson, owners

St. Marys

Clearwater EngineeringInc.

David and Diane Cool, owners

Clearwater

Grassland Gardens Nursery& Flower Farm

Trish Remley, owner

Miltonvale

For more information, contact Anne Woods, KSBDC assistant director of marketingand training, at 785-296-6514.

About KSBDC

The Kansas Small Business Development Center Network is funded in partthrough a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Kansas Department of Commerce. KSBDC is nationally accredited through theAssociation of Small Business Development Centers by congressional mandate.

KSBDC receives funding from and partners with higher education andeconomic development organizations to provide Kansas entrepreneurs with no-costbusiness consulting and resources for starting, maintaining and growing theirbusinesses. The statewide host for the KSBDC is Fort Hays State University. For more information about the KSBDC Network, contact 877-625-7232 or www.kansas.gov/ksbdc.