Intuit launches Love a Local Business sweepstakes

Your local business loves you. Don’t you think it’s time you start loving them back?

Supporting local businesses can have a significant impact on your community economically -- in fact, a September 2008 CivicWorks study of Western Michigan found that a mere 10% shift in consumer behavior towards local businesses would add around $137 million to the local economy and creates more than 1,600 new jobs.

In a nationwide effort to help support the growth of small businesses, Intuit announced the launch of its “Love a Local Business” sweepstakes. Fans of local small businesses can nominate their favorite hometown haunt, which will make them eligible for a drawing to win a $1,000 Intuit Growth Grant, which includes a $500 Visa gift card and $500 in Intuit business services, such as Intuit Websites and Web Listings.

In addition, each business that is nominated will appear on a custom Google Map displaying favorite businesses from across the country. To submit your favorite neighborhood shop, go to www.LoveALocalBusiness.com.

Attn: California entrepreneurs - check out California Business Ascent

California Business Ascent is a statewide business initiative to spur innovation. It also offers a competition for entrepreneurial growth companies from diverse geographies representing multiple industry sectors and stages of development.

Companies participate in regional innovation showcase events, which include 5-7 minute pitches to a panel of investors that are streamed via live web video to a national audience. The top three winners from each showcase, as judged by a panel of investors and industry experts, are automatically entered in the state championships Nov. 17-18 in San Diego.

Winners will garner national media attention, be awarded a package of valuable professional services, and be honored by California Business, Transportation and Housing Agency for excellence in entrepreneurship and innovation within their respective industry sectors.

Any company seeking capital, talent, visibility or access to industry expertise will benefit from the process of competing in this statewide business challenge.

photo: creative commons