The IEDC says the 19 companies finished 2008 with more than $750,000 in increased sales.

Press Release

INDIANAPOLIS (Feb. 3, 2009) - Lt. Governor Becky Skillman joined business leaders from across the state today to present 19 small businesses with the state's first Economic Development through Entrepreneurship (EDGE) Awards during a Statehouse ceremony.

Sponsored by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation's Small Business Development Centers, the awards recognize clients of the agency's 10 regional small business development centers located throughout the state in two categories - emerging and established.

"There is no better story to tell than that of a homegrown Hoosier company that continues to grow and create new jobs," said Skillman. "These 19 companies represent the thousands of Hoosier small businesses that serve as the backbone of our economy."

Recipients of the inaugural award collectively employ 185 in Indiana and in total finished 2008 with more than $750,000 in increased sales.

"These awards showcase businesses from a wide range of industries representing all regions of Indiana, not just major metropolitan areas," said Jeff Heinzmann, IEDC's state director of the Indiana Small Business Development Centers. "From Chesterton to Osgood, small businesses continue to create new jobs even amid a global recession."

The U.S. Small Business Administration estimates there are 26 million small businesses in the United States that employ more than half of the country's private workforce.

Complete List of Award Recipients

Hanapin Marketing (Bloomington) Established Category - Designs and implements marketing strategies including pay-per-click advertising and email marketing.

Lakeside Wealth Management (Chesterton) Established Category - Founded in 2002, the firm has 11 financial advisors and 10 client service professionals that collectively manage more than $500 million.

Dave's Sports Den (Evansville) Established Category - Sports bar and grill

Preventive Maintenance (Fort Wayne) - Established Category - Company provides pressure-washing services that for Packaged Terminal Air Conditioner units, air conditioner condenser coils and grease exhaust hood systems.

Goshen Birth Center (Goshen) - Emerging Category - Company provides out-of-hospital birthing services.

BurnGlo Manufacturing (Huntingburg) - Emerging Category - Manufacturer of prepackaged campfires using fiberboard, hardwood chips and shavings in a patented chimney design.

Safis Solutions (Indianapolis) Established Category - Life sciences regulatory compliance consulting firm serving the pharmaceutical, medical device and biotech industries

IndyParentSource (Indianapolis) - Emerging Category - Online directory provider of local resources, playgrounds, events, activities and parenting tips.

Ladder 51 Flame Broiled Wings (Madison) - Established Category - Maker of double-broiled chicken wings that are lower in fat and calories than traditional wings.

Comforts of Home (Marion) - Established Category - Home furniture store.

Surplus Salvage (Muncie) - Emerging Category - Purchaser, recycler and reseller of electrical components from demolition sites.

Buckeye Street Meats (Osgood) - Emerging Category - Company provides locally raised hormone-free, source-verifiable beef within 50 mile radius of Osgood.

The Kreole Kid (Peru) - Emerging Category - Onsite caterer that provides southern BBQ/Creole concessions with planned full-service restaurant and franchising opportunities in the future.

Integrity Investigation (South Bend) - Established Category - Private investigation firm.

The Little Builder Toy Co. (South Whitley) - Emerging Category - Manufacturers and seller of durable wooden toys, kits, puzzles and blocks that are developmentally stimulating for small children.

Criterion Health (Terre Haute) - Established Category - Company provides specialty consulting services to health and behavioral health providers, hospitals, employers and governments.

Jane Rowe Realty (Terre Haute) - Emerging Category - Realtor.

Success Trek (Valparaiso) - Emerging Category - Executive/business coaching firm.

Vasc-Alert (West Lafayette) - Established Category - Company provides software that analyzes data and generates reports for the hemodialysis market to help determine the risk of clotting in access sites.

About IEDC
Created by Governor Mitch Daniels in 2005 to replace the former Department of Commerce, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation is governed by a 12-member board chaired by Governor Daniels. Indiana Secretary of Commerce Mitch Roob serves as the chief executive officer of the IEDC. For more information about IEDC, visit www.iedc.in.gov. The ISBDC is funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the SBA.

Source: Indiana Economic Development Corp.