Beaver Street businesses sweep MED Week awards

story via Susan Brandenburg

This year, four of the six MED Week (Minority Enterprise Development Week) Awards presented by First Coast Business Alliance went to companies located at Beaver Street Enterprise Center, a FreshMinistries initiative.

Beaver Street’s 2009 MED Week Award Winners are Patrick N. Gordon, Quantum Mechanical, LLC (Construction Firm of the Year – MBE), Glenda Hunter, North Florida Electrical Contractors (Construction Firm of the Year – WBE), Rose Conry & Kelley Moore, Employment Resources & Solutions LLC (Professional Service Firm of the Year), and Annie Branson, Annie Wilson Homecare, Inc. (Woman Owned Firm of the Year).

“We are proud of these businesses for achieving such phenomenal success as tenants at our Center,” said Jackie Perry, Executive Director of Beaver Street Enterprise Center, the only core-city business incubator in the State of Florida. “This is just one more confirmation that the business incubation process is working. We know our MED Week winners are destined to achieve even greater recognition as they continue to grow and contribute to our local economy.”

When notified of the preponderance of Beaver Street Enterprise Center tenant winners this year, Perry expressed her gratitude, first, to FreshMinistries for originating and consistently supporting the business incubator. “Thanks to the guidance and nurturing of FreshMinistries and our many community partners, the companies that choose to headquarter at Beaver Street Enterprise Center have a decided advantage over other start-up companies across the state,” said Perry.

Beaver Street Enterprise Center partnered with the First Coast Business Alliance throughout MEDWeek, beginning with the 2009 MEDWeek Annual Breakfast held at Beaver Street on September 15, with the theme “Energizing the American Economy with Minority Business Enterprises,” and dynamic guest speaker, Beaver Street Graduate Andy Harold, President and CEO of A. Harold & Associates. Active in hosting and participating in both the Awards Luncheon & Trade Fair on September 17 at the Southpoint Marriott Hotel, and the “Mixing With the Stars” Networking Event at the Karpeles Museum, Beaver Street Enterprise Center staff and tenants consistently personified the spirit and success of Minority Enterprise Development at its zenith.

“This year, we celebrated our six years as a core-city incubator with four outstanding MEDweek award winners!” declared Jackie Perry. “The progress being made by businesses under our roof is incredible, and we look forward to even more exciting growth in 2010!”

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