Teacher Brandon Burgess (left) with students Zachary Shidler and Adam Sommers and Pulaski County Economic Development executive director Nathan P. Origer (right).

The winner winner was Adam Sommers, whose foodtruck business would offer a new lunch option to industrial-park employees, and first runner-up was Zachary Shidler, whose Winamac’s Alley would bring bowling back to Winamac.  

Congratulations were also extended to program participants Austen Brown, Nicole Heims, Kristen Maroney and Kenny Stamper for their hard work and great ideas.

Adam and Zach will receive Chamber Checks, courtesy of the Chamber of Commerce, and all participants will receive an H&R Block prepaid Master Card, courtesy of Amy Jo Cantu of H&R Block, Winamac. 

PCED’s objectives for the competition are to provide real-life lessons in business to the students, to open their minds to the possibility of following entrepreneurial dreams without leaving the community in which they are rooted, and to reveal to them the behind-the-scenes efforts required  to make a business successful. 

It is hoped that the program will continue at Winamac in 2013-14 and expand to a class at West Central, with a longer-term goal of opening the program to any high-school–aged student in the county, outside of any particular course curriculum. 

PCED acknowledges the support of Burgess, Superintendent Dr. Robert Klitzman and Principal Rick DeFries, Gifford, Cantu, Chamber director Angie Anspach and the Chamber Board, guest speakers Doug Capper and Courtney Poor, and the panel of judges. 

Contact Origer  at PCED for more information about, or to volunteer with the program at 574-946-3869 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.