Media Release

Date November 8, 2010

For immediate release

Contact:          Jan Bauer, IL SBDC, College of Lake County, 19351 W. Washington St, T-302,

Grayslake, IL 60030, 847-543-2033 jbauer@clcillinois.edu http://wpdi.clcillinois.edu/sbdc/

Lake County ATHENASeeks Applicants for ATHENAPowerLink® Program 

Grayslake, IL. Lake County ATHENAPowerLink is seeking applications for a woman-owned business to participate in a year-long program designed to increase the growth and profitability of her business. Applications are due by January 28, 2011 at the Small Business Development Center (College of Lake County, Illinois Small Business Development, Room T-302, 19351 W Washington Street, Grayslake, IL 60030)

The business will be selected based on its need and potential for growth. Lake County ATHENAPowerLink will convene a team of experts in various fields such as banking, human resources, entrepreneurship, sales, public accounting, law and others to advise the woman business owner on how she can access capital, implement best practices and reach her operational and strategic goals. Information is available on the Lake County ATHENAPowerLink Web site - www.LakeCountyATHENA.org.

Lake County ATHENAPowerLink Governing Body includes: Nita Smith (CDW), Jan Bauer (College of Lake County, Illinois SBDC), Tracey Lundgren (Lundgren Law Offices), Susan A. Oldenburg, (Susan A. Oldenburg & Associates, P.C.),  Joanne Osmond (Market Drafters ), Chris Hill (Midwestern Regional Medical Center), and Gail Vitols (Rockenbach Chevrolet).

Business Application Criteria

• Businesses must be at  least 51% owned and actively managed by a woman,
• Minimum of two years in operation
• Minimum of two full-time employees (including the owner)
• Annual revenues of at least
  • $250,000 for retail or manufacturing businesses
  • $100,000 for service businesses
• Clearly defined company objectives and goals with explicit reasons for seeking assistance from ATHENAPowerLink® in meeting those objectives and goals
• A business plan that outlines future strategies for growth

The application is available at www.LakeCountyATHENA.org. For additional information contact Jan Bauer,