Representatives of five aspiring businesses will explain their ideas to a panel of judges and the community at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Brown County High School at 500 E. Main St. in Mount Sterling.

MOUNT STERLING — Five aspiring small businesses will make their pitch Wednesday for a chance to get a $20,000 head start toward becoming a reality.

Action Brown County has been receiving applications from those interested in establishing a business in the county. It is using a grant from the Tracy Family Foundation to provide support for one of the businesses, with the goal of driving economic development in the county.

During the past two months, the group worked with 17 initial entries to develop their ideas through workshops that focused on writing a business plan, marketing and branding, and preparing to pitch their plan.

Action Brown County released details about the finalists on Monday. Representatives of the five will explain their ideas to a panel of judges and the community at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Brown County High School at 500 E. Main St. in Mount Sterling.

"We couldn’t be happier with the level of participation we have had in the contest,” Action Brown County Executive Director Alex Geisler said. “We’re excited for the public to get a chance to hear from our finalists at the pitch night. Some attendees might even want to invest in the businesses to help them come to life.”

• Kylie Carr’s Ice Candy, a mobile dessert stand that would sell regular and Hawaiian shaved ice and toppings.

• Jeff Schmitz’s Two Wheels Trading Co., which would offer full service and repairs of bicycles, as well as accessories such as helmets, tires and brake pads.

• Alana Boylen’s Green Flamingo Grill, a bar and grill concept that would be a burger-centric dining establishment "specializing in a unique hand patty smash burger."

• Timothy and Mason McFadden’s The Lions Realm, an establishment that would sell comic books, cards, collectibles and novelties as well as offer a place for families and friends to gather, compete and play.

• Mat and Colleen Loehr’s Loehr’s Locker, which would offer custom processing of beef, pork and venison as well as sell prepackaged meat and eventually offer breakfast and lunch.

Applicants were judged on such criteria as sustainability, employment generation and sales potential.

Although only one of the finalists will walk away with the top prize, Action Brown County is continuing to provide support to other businesses. It is offering educational presentations that focus on business legalities, retail best practices and the financial basics of getting a business started.

David C.L. Bauer is editor and publisher. He has been editor since May 2009 and added publisher responsibilities in February 2016. The Cincinnati native has worked as an editor for newspapers in Florida, Ohio and Kentucky and as a former adjunct instructor of journalism at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Kentucky. He has also worked at radio stations in Ohio as a news director and a disc jockey. He has won a number of national and state awards for his reporting and editing.