Allen County’s Abenroth Has $5,000 Bright Idea

 
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Hart County Judge/Executive Terry Martin presents a check for $500 and a Certificate of Recognition as a Regional Finalist to Timothy Richardson of Munforville. The presentation was made December 12 at the WKU Research and Development Center.

 

 

           Bucks For Bright Ideas

Jon C. Abenroth, 2289 Pea Ridge Road, was awarded the $5,000 first prize in the Second Annual “Bucks For Bright Ideas” competition. The prize announcement came Tuesday night at an awards dinner at the Western Kentucky University Research and Development Center in Bowling Green. The award was presented by Barren River Area Development District economic development specialist, Richie Sanders, Jeff Hook with the Central Region Innovation and Commercialization staff, and Jack Eversole, Barren River Development Council. Abenroth said he had been working on his project for more than a year and added,”This really helps me move it forward.”

            The $1,000 second prize was awarded Mitch Gibbs, 3339 Beverly Court, Bowling Green. Each county winner also received $500 from the sponsors. In some counties, local Chamber groups also awarded prizes.

            The “Bucks for Bright Ideas” sponsors are seeking to encourage a new wave of entrepreneurs to develop ideas into marketable projects, creating new companies and new job opportunities in 10-county Barren River Area. The competition is a joint project of the Barren River Development Council, the Central Region Innovation and Commercialization Center, and the Barren River ADD. Funds for the project are raised through the annual David Garvin Entrepreneurship Golf Classic in October. Sen. Sanders said the 2006 Classic raised enough money for a third competition in 2007.

            Other  county winners were Millie Null, Barren County; Howard Phelps, Butler County, Gordon Keith Bright, Edmonson County; Timothy Richardson, Hart County; Alvin Klein, Logan County; Bill Kindred, Metcalfe County; Thomas Dodson, Monroe County, and Randy Herrington, Simpson County. Other regional finalists were Clay Byrd, Warren County; Debra Scott, Barren County; and Greg Fulks, Warren County.

            All entrants receive counseling and guidance from Buddy Steen and Jeff Hook, Central Region staff. Help is given protecting the idea, through patent or copyright, market research, developing a business plan, and other aspects of business start-up. The Central Region staff also encourages seeking other grants to do patent searches, write business plans, and do market analysis. Sen. Sanders said the BRADD has revolving low-interest loan funds to help finance production.