Business competition finalists are selected

The Hormel Family Foundation, in partnership with Invest Nebraska Corporation, unveiled today the six finalists of this year's Annual Hormel Business Plan Competition.

The finalists are Jeff Tidyman (Engineering International); Mathew Winder (MW Design Studio); Steven Shaner (Database Solutions); Cody and Amanda Dame (McCook Performing Arts Academy); Scott Kacsh (Brickstreet Diner); and Stephanie Dusatko (Hagan), Jeffrey Dusatko and Ashley Hagan (The Kloset).

On Friday, these entrepreneurs will battle it out for the chance to receive a $25,000 investment in exchange for a minority stake in the winning business. The winner will also be the beneficiary of consulting and advertising services valued at $10,000.

"All six finalists show great expertise and promise," said Foundation Board Member and project initiator Ben Hormel Harris. "The winner will be the one who manages to impress the judges the most on Friday."

This year's judges are Rex Nelson, Executive Director of the McCook Economic Development Corporation; Jim Ulrich, CEO of Community Hospital; Mark Graff, Chairman of McCook National Bank; Dr. Richard C. Tubbs, Vice President of McCook Community College; Dan Hoffman, Executive Director of Invest Nebraska Corporation; and Ben Hormel Harris, Foundation board member and co-founder of the Nebraska-based private equity fund Nebraska Heavy Industries.

The Hormel Business Plan Competition is an incentive designed to promote entrepreneurship in the McCook area, while simultaneously supporting McCook Community College. This year's competition will kick off at 1 p.m., at the Hormel Business & Technology Center on the McCook Community College campus. Prior to the competition, the doors will open at 12:30 p.m., for a "Meet and Greet." The winner will be announced at approximately 5 p.m. While the judges' discussions will be kept behind closed doors, the competition itself is open to the media and the public.

Spearheaded by the Hormel Family Foundation, the Hormel Business Plan Competition enjoys generous support from Community Hospital and McCook Community Development Company, comprised of AmFirst Bank, McCook National Bank and Wells Fargo Bank. Local sponsors include the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, the McCook Daily Gazette, High Plains Radio, and Hometown Family Radio.

The Hormel Family Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to McCook Community College in McCook, Nebraska. Founded in 1999 by the late Ben F. Hormel, it provided the funding for the Ben F. Hormel Technology Center for Business and Industry on the McCook Community College campus. All potential proceeds from the foundation's stake in the winning business are exclusively for the benefit of McCook Community College. For more information, go online to www.hormelfamily foundation.com.

Invest Nebraska Corporation is a state-wide non-profit organization dedicated to angel investment and entrepreneurship in Nebraska. Invest Nebraska Corporation advises and invests in early stage business ideas, and provides networking opportunities for investors, entrepreneurs and service providers from all corners of the state. For more information, visit www.investnebraska.com.