NEWS RELEASE 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

KINGSPORT – October 3, 2008 – On October 1st, the Kingsport Office of Small Business Development & Entrepreneurship (KOSBE) began accepting applications and nominations for its Annual KOSBE Awards.  This year there are five areas of competition:  one award for Young Entrepreneur (under age 40), one for New Business (in operation for at least 12 months but not more than 36 months), and three awards for Business Excellence (employing 2 -9 employees, 10 - 29 employees, and 30 - 150 employees in 2008).  

Once called the KOSBE Small Business Contest, this year's competition is being promoted as the Annual 2008 KOSBE Awards.  Phil Ketron of Triten Insurance and Financial Services, Inc., the Chairperson of the annual event, wanted to finally clear up a misconception that the competition is only for startups.  "We serve more than 300 small businesses of all sizes and types, whether they are a startup or an experienced existing business, or whether they are a retail store, manufacturer, or provider of professional, scientific or technical services.  In fact, more than 46% of our clientele are already doing business.  Eight percent of the businesses we work with are in the manufacturing industry."  Ketron hopes that by opening up the contest to any small business in business at least 12 months, with up to 150 employees will eliminate the previous misconception about the competition.  

Also, KOSBE is asking applicants to identify an external individual who has made a significant impact on the success of their small business.  One nominee will be selected to receive a special Impact Award at the awards ceremony that is scheduled for December 12th, at the Meadowview Marriott Resort & Conference Center in Kingsport. 

Last year, Mason Distributors (Scott and April Mason) took home two of KOSBE's awards --one for Overall Winner and one for Young Entrepreneur; Tutoring Solutions (Paige GoForth) won the Meteor Award for Most Growth; and Discovery Ice Cream (Allan Jones) won the Horizon Award for New Business Startup.     

The Annual 2008 KOSBE Awards are sponsored by Blue Ridge Physician Group, Indian Path Medical Center, Kingsport Times-News, Clark & Company Development, Integrity Captial Management Retirement & 401k Plan Solutions, Leinbach Building Services, Rodefer Moss & Company PLLC, Triten Insurance & Financial Services Inc., and Blackburn Childers & Steagall PLC Certified Public Accountants and Consultants. 

Applications are available in person at the Kingsport Office of Small Business located inside the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce, at 151 East Main St, Kingsport, TN, or online at www.kosbe.org until October 31st.  A panel of judges will review all submissions in November, and finalists and winners will be announced in December.  For more information and tickets visit KOSBE's web site, www.kosbe.org, or call (423) 392-8811. 

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