Several awards will be presented, culminating with the National Small Business Person of the Year. Leroy Shatto, owner of Shatto Milk Co. (25 Under 25® Class of 2006), is Missouri’s Small Business Person of the Year and in contention for the national award.

Live Webinars—The SBA and Albuquerque, N.M.-based Strategic & Learning Services will provide training on navigating the maze of federal contracting and other business essentials through a series of live, interactive webinars.

The first session took place in March. The seminars will be archived on SLS’s Web site for those who couldn’t attend. The other dates for 2006 are May 17, July 19, August 16 and September 13. Visit www.sls-7j.net for information and eligibility requirements.

MSC Changes Name
The MidAmerica Minority Business Development Council (MAMBDC), formerly the Minority Supplier Council, unveiled its new name at a recent open house at their new facility at 777 Admiral Blvd. The council is composed of more than 140 member corporations and more than 200 certified minority businesses.

NetworkKansas.com Launches
The Kansas Center for Entrepreneurship has launched its Web site (www.networkkansas.com), call center and entrepreneurial assistance fund. The center was created by the 2004 Kansas Economic Growth Act to enhance entrepreneurial success in Kansas.

Network Kansas is a statewide network of resources that provides business-building services to small business owners. The network launched with more than 200 resource organizations statewide. The site also features information about classes, economic resources, news and events.

SCORE, CCC Form Alliance
SCORE “Counselors to America’s Small Business” and Commercial Credit Counseling Services, Inc. (CCC) have joined forces to improve small business awareness about SCORE counseling and training. CCC’s database consists of hundreds of thousands of small businesses that are experiencing some type of financial hardship. CCC markets SCORE to companies in its database through direct mail and telemarketing. It also provides content and links to SCORE through its Web site at www.dontdeclare.com. CCC also has launched an automated referral system to send contact information of companies looking for help to all 389 SCORE chapters nationwide.

KWBC Promotes Mathews
Judy Mathews has been promoted to program manager of the Kansas Women’s Business Center. She will be responsible for program and event logistics and work more directly with start-up and emerging business owners.

Also, Karen Zecy, president of American Micro Co., has joined the KWBC advisory board and has been named to the board of directors of the Enterprise Center of Johnson County.

Competition Rewards Entrepreneurs
BizFilings and the National Federation of Independent Business’s Young Entrepreneur Foundation have sponsored a business plan competition, Plan for the Future. They will award scholarships and seed capital to winning high school and college entrepreneurs. The deadline for entries is May 31, 2006.

Students submitting the top three business plans nationally will receive seed money for their businesses: $7,500 for first prize, $5,000 for second and $2,500 for third. Visit www.nfib.com for contest details.

Scholarship Focuses on Entrepreneurship
First National Bank of Olathe and the Glasnapp Foundation have endowed the $10,000 Raymond Glasnapp Entrepreneurial Spirit Scholarship Program for graduating Olathe School District seniors. The program awards scholarships to the top three places in an essay contest: $5,000 for first, $3.000 for second and $2,000 for third. This year’s theme is “The Importance of Extraordinary Effort and Sacrifice to Entrepreneurial Success.