(STATEHOUSE) Feb. 3, 2009 - The Indiana Small Business Development Center today presented an award to Buckeye Street Meats for its success as an emerging small business. The Economic Development and Growth through Entrepreneurship (EDGE) Award was presented to the business by ISBDC Director Jeff Heinzmann, Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman and State Rep. Cleo Duncan (R-Greensburg). "We appreciated the ISBDC start-up assistance and are pleased to continue using ISBDC services as Buckeye Street Meats continues to grow," said Warren Brown, owner of Buckeye Street Meats. Brown approached the ISBDC in 2007 for assistance in identifying the best location for his business with the desire to stay in Osgood. ISBDC helped with his business plan, and by April 2008 Brown opened Buckeye Street Meats in Osgood. After six months, sales increased by 50 percent, five new jobs were created and business spread to outlying counties. Brown credits his success to his ability to work with local beef growers in order to guarantee to his customers locally raised, hormone-free, source-verifiable beef. "It always pleases me to see emerging businesses, such as Buckeye Street Meats, receiving a well-deserved recognition for all their hard work, especially in such tough times," said Rep. Duncan. "The Brown family and Buckeye Street Meats are very deserving of this prestigious award, and I am glad that I was able to be a part of it." Lt. Gov. Skillman kicked the event off by praising the award recipients for all their hard work and determination with their successful businesses. "Indiana needs you now more than ever," said Skillman. "We need good people like you in every area of our state economy." Award recipients fell into one of two categories: emerging or established businesses. Eligibility was limited to clients of the ISBDC who received one-on-one counseling, participated in ISBDC programs or used ISBDC tools and business resources. Today's award ceremony was the first EDGE Awards presentation. Rep. Duncan encourages constituents to contact her with questions or concerns through e-mail at h67@in.gov, by calling the Statehouse at 1-800-382-9841 or by writing her at the Statehouse, 200 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204.
|
