6 County Fast Pitch Winners Announced

Winners have been announced in the 6 County Fast Pitch Contest. There were 20 entrepreneurs from Mercer, Henderson, Henry, Knox, Stark and Warren Counties that participated in the competition—sponsored by the University of Illinois Extension.  Aledo Economic Development Director Tarah Sipes was on the organizing committee.

The three grand prize winners were: Andrea Konie for her business Dinners On Me in Cambridge; Linda Putnam for her business Linda’s Salsa in Monmouth; and Shawn Kendall  for his Trademark Vacations potential business in Galva.
The grand prize winners were each awarded $2,500 cash, up to $35,000 in media advertising; $1,800 in marketing consultation; up to 8 hours of customer service training from University of Illinois Extension; a $500 scholarship to related coursework at either Carl Sandburg College, Black Hawk College, or Black Hawk East; accounting services; and continued consultation and support from Western Illinois University’s Small Business Development Center.