STEUBENVILLE - Big thinkers with big ideas have a chance to make their concepts real, thanks to Progress Alliance, the MCBI Regional Incubator for Entrepreneurs and TechGROWTH Ohio.

The Big Idea Contest has arrived for Jefferson County. The concept is simple: Take your innovative ideas, commit them to paper and send them into the contest. The organizations involved are willing to provide some money and professional services to turn big ideas into reality.

The contest is designed to encourage new and existing businesses and prospective entrepreneurs with an innovative idea to compete for cash and business services.

Jessica Sherman, regional coordinator for the MCBI, based in Zanesville, said, "The contest provides for people of a nine-county region with a forum to develop an idea for a new, innovative product, service or application. MCBI is excited to partner with Progress Alliance and TechGROWTH Ohio for the region's first contest."

Sherman, who also will deliver the first seminar presentation in this year's Project Bootstraps series for entrepreneurs at the Franciscan University of Steubenville Wednesday, said the sponsor organizations will work with the qualified contest competitors to develop business plans, marketing and pricing strategies and commercialize the entrepreneurs' products.

"Any unique idea will be considered," said Ed Looman, executive director of Progress Alliance, Jefferson County's public-private partnership in economic development. "Creativity is welcome, but the idea must be practical enough to result in a realistic and profitable business. Anyone who lives in or has a business in Jefferson County may enter. Entrants can be business owners, employees, students or retirees."

A winner will be selected in each of the nine counties served by MCBI with the county winners to compete at a regional level.

The winner in Jefferson County will receive $500 in cash and more than $2,000 in business services, as well as the opportunity to attend a series of free business planning workshops by MCBI.

Business services will be provided by Blake, Hershey and Bednar Attorneys at Law; Tri-State Financial Services; Minor Insurance; D'Anniballe and Co. Inc.; and Em-Media. The contest's primary Jefferson County sponsors are Tri-State Financial, Minor Insurance and the Herald-Star.

MCBI conducted the contest in Muskingum County last year, with the winner being Susan Hoskinson of Designs by You.

Sherman said Hoskinson developed software to revolutionize the client experience for a florist's customer.

"In the beginning, she only had a concept," Sherman said. "MCBI connected her with a computer programmer with the vision and the expertise to develop her concept into a product that could be taken to market. Designs by You soon will be attending trade shows with a final product."

Applications must be submitted by Feb. 26 and are available by visiting www.mcbi.info. Applications should answer basic questions that are listed along with this article. Completed applications may be mailed to Progress Alliance, 630 Market St., Steubenville, OH 43952 or sent by fax to (740) 283-2607 or by e-mail to Looman at elooman@progressalliance.com.

Looman said a panel of business professionals will evaluate the applications.

"Successful applicants will demonstrate an ability to implement their idea and begin a business by completing the application process," he said.

Other counties involved include Belmont, Coshocton, Guernsey, Harrison, Monroe, Morgan, Muskingum and Noble.

John Riley, president of Kwik King Food Stores, and Jim Emmerling, president of Em-Media, will represent Jefferson County on the panel of judges, but they will not be assigned to judge entrants from Jefferson County.

(Giannamore's e-mail address is pgiannamore@heraldstaronline.com.)