For Additional Information Contact:
Jeannette Peten, Executive Director/President BiGAustin
512.928-8010, ext. 107
512.294-5836

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BiGAUSTIN Announces Call for Entries for Fourth Annual BiG Idea Awards Event

AUSTIN, TX (February 25, 2004) - BiG Austin along with Council Member Betty Dunkerley, former Mayor Gus Garcia, local chambers of commerce and small business leaders announced today the call for entries for the Fourth Annual BiGAustin (Business Investment Growth) BiG Idea Awards, which will honor small business achievements in five categories.

Winners will be announced during the BiG Idea Awards luncheon, April 16, 2004 at the new Hilton Hotel, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Winners will be honored with an award and prizes that will help them operate their small business.

Almost 90,000 micro-enterprises (a business with fewer than 5 employees) exist in Austin, Travis County and these small businesses are responsible for 13.4% of the total employment. "The role of small businesses is critical to our local economy. Small business owners work long hours, juggling family and career responsibilities, BiG Austin and the BiG Idea Awards present a wonderful opportunity for citizens to acknowledge and recognize the contributions and achievements of small businesses" said Council Member Betty Dunkerley.

"The essential elements of any local economy start with small businesses that create a strong foundation. Small businesses are vital to sustaining the unique culture of our city and quality of life, BiGAustin would like to recognize their importance, and demonstrate our appreciation for continuing to make Austin one of the most desirable cities to reside in" said Jeanette Peten, Executive Director/President of BiGAustin.

BiGAustin strives to be the best source for entrepreneurs in Central Texas assisting small businesses to start, strengthen, or expand their operations and achieve economic success. Our primary clients are those who are economically disadvantage and who have difficulty accessing business services and credit through traditional means. BiG Austin programs have provided training and technical assistance to 1,622 small businesses, disbursed $1,800,000 in loans, created over 1000 jobs, and perhaps more importantly, sustained 577 jobs in the local economy. As a result, private incomes and public tax revenues have increased, thereby reducing dependency on public assistance, which helps to shrink public budgets.

Online nominations may be submitted by any BiGAustin client (regardless of size) or any other business in the greater Austin area with 10 or fewer employees. For the online nomination form or for instructions for submitting an application by fax or mail, visit www.bigaustin.org and click on the BiG Idea Awards logo on the home page. Entries must be received by 5 p.m. March 16, 2004.

The award categories are:

• "Most with the Least" Award - presented to a business that has demonstrated business savvy by having the ability to take a minimal amount of start-up capital and create outstanding sales growth.
• "Rookie of the Year" Award - presented to a business that has demonstrated excellent management in its first year of operation, through the development, execution and maintenance of a business plan.
• "Best Transition" Award - presented to a woman or minority-owned business whose owner has shown the most skill in leveraging intellectual talent, experience and know-how to transition from another profession to their own business.
• "Creative Business" Award - presented to a business that has been financially successful in creating a new product or innovative business service.
• "BiG Graduate" Award - presented to a business that has undergone BiG training and exemplifies the highest business insight, performance and potential of graduates of the BiG training.

BiGAustin is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) founded in 1995, and is Central Texas’ single-source solution for small businesses in search of comprehensive entrepreneurial education and affordable loans. For more information visit: www.bigaustin.org.