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I-69 Thumb Region Selects PAK’s Floating Cottages as Winner of the Catapult Business Plan Competition

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Seven businesses vied for the top spot in the 2018 Catapult Business Competition in Lapeer County on Thursday, January 24, 2019 with PAK’s Floating Cottages (Huron County) winning first-place and taking home the $6,000 grand prize.

The final round of competition was held as part of the I-69 Regional Summit, hosted by the I-69 Thumb Region at the Lapeer Country Club. Cash prizes of $4,000 and $2,000, respectively, were awarded to second-place winner South of Heaven Beverage Company (St. Clair County) and third-place finisher Triple J. Café (Sanilac County).

Each of the seven competing businesses advanced to the finals after winning the county-level contests. The I-69 Thumb Region includes Shiawassee, Genesee, Lapeer, St. Clair, Sanilac, Huron and Tuscola counties.

The other contestants were: Bee Lovely Botanicals (Tuscola County); Sweet Tee’s Salon & Kids Spa (Genesee County); Happy Girl Granola (Shiawassee County); Stone’s Throw Theatre (Lapeer County).  Each of these contestants won $2,500 in their local county competition.  Overall, the I-69 Thumb Region awarded a total of $40,000 to area entrepreneurs for the 2018 Catapult Business competition.

Photos from the I-69 Thumb Region 7th Annual Summit held on January 24, 2019 at the Lapeer Country Club. The summit is hosted by the seven region partners of the I-69 Thumb Region. Carl Osentoski, Director of Sanilac & Huron County Economic Development Corp. stands with the 1st place winner of the third Catapult Business Competition, PAK's Floating Cottages of Huron County.

Carl Osentoski, Director of Sanilac & Huron County Economic Development Corp. stands with the 3rd place winner of the third Catapult Business Competition, Triple J. Cafe' of Sanilac County.

Photos from the I-69 Thumb Region 7th Annual Summit held on January 24, 2019 at the Lapeer Country Club. The summit is hosted by the seven region partners of the I-69 Thumb Region. Keynote speaker, Joe Johnson, CEO of VADE Nutrition, speaks to the audience regarding his journey to turn his idea into a profitable business and his participation on ABC's SharkTank.

Photos from the I-69 Thumb Region 7th Annual Summit held on January 24, 2019 at the Lapeer Country Club. The summit is hosted by the seven region partners of the I-69 Thumb Region. Dan Casey, CEO of the Economic Development Alliance of St. Clair County, stands with the 2nd place winner of the 3rd Catapult Business Competition, South of Heaven Beverage Company of St. Clair County.

Photos from the I-69 Thumb Region 7th Annual Summit held on January 24, 2019 at the Lapeer Country Club. The summit is hosted by the seven region partners of the I-69 Thumb Region. Carl Osentoski, Director of Sanilac & Huron County Economic Development Corp. stands with the 3rd place winner of the third Catapult Business Competition, Triple J. Cafe' of Sanilac County.

I-69 Thumb Region, 2018