(May 25, 2011, Columbus, OH )  INCREASE Community Development Corporation (INCREASE CDC) is proud to announce that twenty-four nominees will be recognized at the Seventh Annual Micro Entrepreneur Awards sponsored by Huntington Bank.  The event will take place on Thursday, April 21, 2011 at Columbus Christian Center Church located at 2300 North Cassady Avenue and will feature Kenny McDonald of Columbus 2020 as the keynote speaker.

Each year, Central Ohio business owners with five or fewer employees are nominated by the community and selected by a panel of judges to receive an award for their success and growth in business, professionalism and community involvement.

"Being nominated alongside so many great local brands is a great honor,” says Timothy Wolf Starr, owner of Small Business Beanstalk.

INCREASE CDC will also recognize the entrepreneurs and students of their Training program.  One successful graduate will be presented with the Alumnus of the Year award.

“Starting and managing a business is not an easy task,” says Deonna Barnett, Program Manager of INCREASE CDC. “Hosting an event like this is a way to keep the business owners in our community motivated and inspire others to follow in the footsteps of successful entrepreneurs.”

One award recipient will be selected by the community for the Community Choice award through an online voting process. Anyone can select an entrepreneur of their choice by visiting www.increasecdc.org between March 27^th and April 9^th.

The event will kick off with a networking hour and reception.  Businesses and organizations can participate by reserving a booth for the networking hour or by becoming a sponsor and providing product donations for the award recipients.

(May 21, 2011, Columbus, OH )  INCREASE Community Development Corporation (INCREASE CDC) welcomes Kenny McDonald of Columbus 2020 to speak at the Seventh Annual Micro Entrepreneur Awards sponsored by Huntington Bank.  The event will take place on Thursday, April 21, 2011 at Columbus Christian Center Church located at 2300 North Cassady Avenue.

As the leading officer behind the new economic development initiative, Columbus 2020, McDonald will explain what the project could mean for entrepreneurs and small business owners in central Ohio.

McDonald’s keynote address will precede the presentation of seven awards to business owners with five or fewer employees for their success and growth in business, professionalism and community involvement. One additional recipient will be selected by the community for the Community Choice award through an online voting process set to take place between March 27^th and April 9^th at www.increasecdc.org.

“This event has always played a key role in our efforts to strengthen communities through entrepreneurship,” says Bill Carter, Executive Director of INCREASE CDC.  “We appreciate McDonald’s support in this endeavor.”

The event will kick off with a networking hour and reception.  Businesses and organizations can participate by reserving a booth for the networking hour or by becoming a sponsor and providing product donations for the award recipients.

INCREASE CDC has trained over 700 individuals in their training program and helped start and expand over 250 businesses in Central Ohio. INCREASE CDC is a non-profit organization funded by the Ohio Department of Development, Franklin County Department of Economic Development, Ever Increasing Life Ministries, Ohio CDC Association, and most Central Ohio banking institutions.