The Maine Small Business Development Centers has launched a contest with prizes totaling $7,500 in professional services open to three businesses in Millinocket, East Millinocket and Medway.
The contest, announced Friday by the state entity of the U.S. Small Business Administration, will accept applications through May 15.
Businesses that apply are asked to submit enrollment applications for the first round of the contest. The second round will ask contestants to submit a full business plan describing how they plan to start a small business or grow an existing small business.
The winners will be determined by July 20 after an in-person presentation with judges limited to 30 minutes. The first-place winner will get a $3,500 award, with $2,500 for second place and $1,500 for third place.
The contest is funded through a grant from the U.S. SBA and applications can be found at tinyurl.com/KatahdinBusinessPlan.