Three Shelby County businesses were awarded $10,000 last week during the Shelby County New Enterprises business plan competition. IC Products, Leah Marie Photography and Panama Diesel presented in front of a panel of judges selected by the Shelby County DevelopSource at the Therkildsen Center last Thursday. After the deliberation, the judges decided to split the $30,000 prize money to all three businesses. David Wahling, owner and operator of IC Products, says he was very appreciative of the money. He said “It was a great deal and many thanks to Shelby County DevelopSource and their sponsors.”

IC Products is a new business focusing on ice cream machines. Wahling says “It’s an alert system when the mix is low, and it gives them an advance warning so it doesn’t create an air lock which creates down time.” IC Products will use the money for office equipment such as computers, a fax machine and furniture. Leah Blankinsop, owner and operator of Leah Marie Photography said her company will use the money towards indoor equipment. She says “We came in from an outdoor photographer so we didn’t have a lot of indoor equipment. We have to have new and updated equipment to be successful.”

Leah Marie Photography has been open in downtown Harlan for the past 6 months. Panama Diesel opened in 2008 and since that time owners Josh and Theresa Kaufman were in the need of expanding their semi parts. Theresa Kaufman said the funds money will help them do just that. She added “We plan to use the money to add an addition to our current building to house parts for resale. Our current supply of parts is taking up a repair bay and we need that space to continue to do truck repairs.”

This was the 2^nd annual Shelby County New Enterprises Business plan competition.

(Joel McCall/KNOD)