by Kristina Baker — Newport Surveying and Servant’s Heart Home Health Services took top honors during the SUCCEED Awards luncheon Monday.

Both received awards for the 2007 SUCCEED Business Planning Competition. SUCCEED, which stands for Stimulating Unlimited Cass County Entrepreneurs and Economic Development, is a program aimed at encouraging the growth of local businesses.

The winners were announced during a joint Rotary-Kiwanis luncheon featuring guest speaker Gerry Dick of Inside Indiana Business.

Rusty Logan, owner of Newport Surveying of Walton, accepted the award in the existing business category, while Servant’s Heart Home Health Service owners Tom and Jo Nelson accepted the award in the start-up business category.

Logan will receive $5,000 cash reimbursement, a monthly business card ad in INfo and a certificate for a first printing order at Modern Graphics.

As a winner in the new business category, the Nelsons will receive a $5,000 cash reimbursement, a chair from Cardinal Office, business cards from Smith Office, a Web site package for one year from Visionary Web and a one-year free membership to the Logansport-Cass County Chamber of Commerce.

In addition, the winners will receive monthly counseling with the Region 4 Small Business Development Center and/or SUCCEED for one year.

“We’re excited about that,” said Jo Nelson.

She said she was surprised, yet honored to receive the award.

“It was a great learning experience,” she said of the written business plan she was required to submit for the contest. Writing a business plan was beneficial, she said, and has strengthened the business.

Servant’s Heart opened in July 2005, offering homemaker services for the elderly. The company expanded to include home health services in November 2006.

“As we continue to grow, we’re going to add services like physical therapy,” said Nelson, a registered nurse.

Servant’s Heart employs three licensed practical nurses and several home health aides. Nelson’s husband, Tom, and children also assist with the operation.

Developing a business plan for the contest also has helped prepare Logan for the challenges he may face as a business owner.

Logan, who has been employed at Newport Surveying, near Walton for the last decade, recently purchased the business from owner Tom Newport in March. The business specializes in property surveying, site planning, subdivision design and construction layout.

Logan said he planned to use his cash winnings for future upgrades and expansion of the business.

Each of the contestants were judged on feasibility, quality of information/presentation, oral presentation, positive community impact, and potential job creation.

During the luncheon, winners of the High School Business Planning Contest and the Inventors, Inventions and You contest for fourth, fifth and sixth graders also were announced.

In the high school category, Rochelle Davila received first place for Indie’s Youth Cafe, where positive activities and faith-based support are included; Zyon Rennewanz placed second for Z’s Cajun Cuisine, an upscale restaurant; and John Hiatt took third place for Hiatt’s Sporting Goods.

In the Inventors, Inventions and You contest, John “J.P.” Smith received first place for his Light-up Bike Helmet for safe riding at night, and Christy Bartlett took second place for her Handy-Dandy Opener, a device that opens snack bags without tearing them. In a tie for third place were Alex Eldridge with the Skimmer Sensor, a device that sounds an alarm when your swimming pool needs cleaned, and Zach Turnpaugh with the Speak Easy, a programmable controller that dispenses ketchup on a sandwich upon verbal command.

Students displayed their products and services at an entrepreneurial fair held Saturday at the Logansport Mall.

Kristina Baker can be contacted at (574) 732-5148, or via e-mail at kristina.baker@pharostribune.com