Commonwealth of Kentucky
Cabinet for Economic Development

OUTSTANDING KENTUCKY SMALL BUSINESSES TO BE RECOGNIZED
Pacesetter Business Recognition Program to Honor Twelve Kentucky Businesses

Frankfort, Ky. -- Twelve of Kentucky’s small businesses will be honored today as the first inductees in the Pacesetter Business Recognition Program, a new initiative designed to recognize small businesses that have made a significant impact in their community and region. The following businesses will be recognized at a special Kentucky Celebrates Small Business event in Frankfort:

• Big Meadow Oil Company Inc. – Knob Lick – 10 employees
• Custom Tool & Manufacturing Company – Lawrenceburg – 46 employees
• Hitcents Inc. – Bowling Green – 43 employees
• Interstate Natural Gas Company – Pikeville – 280 employees
• Lawrence & Associates – Louisville – 7 employees
• LCM Company – Lexington – 18 employees
• Oscarware Inc. – Bonnieville – 33 employees
• Pendleton Data Farm – Falmouth – 48 employees
• SouthEast Telephone – Pikeville – 300 employees
• The Gallaher Group – Ashland – 35 employees
• Twin Rivers Inc. – Livermore – 20 employees
• Walbert Trucking Inc. – Glasgow – 120 employees

"These companies represent a diverse cross-section of the many small businesses that form the bedrock of our economy in Kentucky," said John Hindman, secretary of the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development. "We are pleased to recognize their achievements, and are proud that they call Kentucky home."

The companies were selected by a panel of judges based on the following characteristics: introduction of innovative products; increasing employment; increasing sales and/or production; community service; capacity to grow; entrepreneurial leadership; competitive advantage; and other notable factors in the company’s success.

Each of the companies will be recognized during a special luncheon and program at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History in downtown Frankfort.

The Pacesetter Business Recognition Program and the Kentucky Celebrates Small Business Event are the culmination of a joint effort by the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, the Kentucky Small Business Development Center, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis – Louisville Branch.

The Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development is the primary state agency in Kentucky responsible for creating new jobs and new investment in the state. New business investment in Kentucky in 2007 totaled nearly $2 billion with the creation of over 13,400 new jobs. Information on available development sites, workforce training, incentive programs, community profiles, small business development and other resources is available at www.ThinkKentucky.com.