Southern Indiana Business Report
INDIANAPOLIS — Gov. Eric J. Holcomb issued a proclamation declaring Sept. 13 – 17 as Small Business Week in Indiana, celebrating the more than 529,000 small businesses in Indiana and the more than 1.2 million hardworking Hoosiers they employ.
“This week, we recognize the small businesses driving our state’s economy forward,” said Gov. Holcomb. “The state is placing an increased focus on supporting Indiana’s entrepreneurial companies, and with their persistence and entrepreneurial spirit, small business owners are creating careers and opportunities vital to every community across all 92 counties.”
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation will recognize nine Hoosier small businesses that have worked with the Indiana Small Business Development Center, a program of the IEDC, to start, grow or pivot their small businesses. The Indiana SBDC provides no-cost expert guidance and a comprehensive network of resources to each entrepreneur looking to start or grow a business. These resources include capital access, business planning, export assistance and market research.
These awards, presented in conjunction with the U.S. Small Business Administration’s National Small Business Week, honor the entrepreneurs’ and small businesses’ achievements and their contributions to help grow Indiana’s economy and strengthen communities across the state.
Among the honorees is Fischer Farms of Saint Anthony in Dubois County, which is being recognized as Family-Owned Small Business of the Year. Founded by Diana and Dave Fischer in 2004, Fischer Farms is a natural meat producer providing premium, local, sustainable products to Hoosier families and restaurants. The sixth-generation, family-owned farm has expanded to meet the demand for local, fresh products.
Other Southern Indiana honorees
MidAmerica Safety Solutions of Evansville is the the Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year. Founded by Jeff Klump in 2017, MidAmerica Safety Solutions is a traffic control safety company providing on-site traffic management for work sites in the Evansville, Bloomington, Indianapolis and Cincinnati areas. As a Marine Corps veteran, Klump is committed to hiring veterans, retirees and veteran spouses through local organizations.
Starlight Spirits & Wines LLC of Borden in Clark County is the Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year. Founded by Dana and Jan Huber in 2001, Starlight Spirits & Wines LLC is the company responsible for the regional distribution of Huber wines. Part of Huber’s Orchard, Winery and Distillery, the company is an agritourism destination in Southern Indiana.
Other statewide honorees
· Donte Wilburn of Lafayette, owner and operator of Premier Detailing and Wash LLC — Entrepreneur of the Year
· Crossroads Solar Enterprises of South Bend — Community Impact Small Business of the Year
· InsightTRAC of Syracuse — Innovative Small Business of the Year
· bNutty Peanut Butter of Portage — Minority-Owned Small Business of the Year
· High Performance Alloys Inc. of Tipton — Rural Small Business of the Year
· Saaslio, a software developer, of Indianapolis — Start-Up of the Year