Kentucky Small Business Development Center inducts businesses into Pacesetter Program

LEXINGTON, KY (June 7, 2010) — This year, the Kentucky Small Business Development Center (KSBDC) inducted eight high performing second-stage businesses into the third class of the Pacesetter Business Recognition Program. The winners represent a diverse group of industries from across the Commonwealth that are strengthening our economy and our communities. They were presented with the Pacesetter award at the Kentucky Celebrates Small Businesses event which was held at the Governor's Mansion last month.Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear presented the awards.

The Pacesetter Business Recognition Program recognizes Kentucky-based businesses that are changing the economic landscape of Kentucky by introducing innovative products, increasing sales and/or production, boosting employment and serving the communities of the Commonwealth. The businesses inducted into this year's Pacesetter Business Recognition Program include:

Ashland Office Supply Inc., Ashland; Big Ass Fans, Lexington; Preston-Osborne, Lexington; Bobrowski Family Dentistry, Greensburg; KDV Inc., Louisville; Street Moda LLC, Louisville; Techonology Services Group Inc., Florence; and Advanced Elevator Inc., Alexandria.

Additionally, winners had to meet the minimum qualifications of a second-stage business to be considered for the award. A second-stage business is one that has survived the start-up phase and is continuing to grow operations. They must have sales meeting or exceeding $500,000.00 annually, employ six or more individuals and have been in business for three years. Profiles of the inductees are available at www.kentuckypacesetters.com. The Pacesetter Business Recognition Program and the Kentucky Celebrates Small Businesses event are a collaborative effort between the KSBDC and the United States Small Business Administration.

The Kentucky Small Business Development Center, headquartered at the University of Kentucky's Office of Commercialization and Economic Development, is a network of 17 service centers located throughout the Commonwealth that help start-up and existing businesses succeed by offering high quality, in-depth and hands-on services. These services include: no-cost confidential business consultations, affordable business workshops and seminars, research to make informed business decisions and valuable resources. For more information, visit www.ksbdc.org.