On behalf of Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell, Secretary of Community and Economic Development Dennis Yablonsky announced today that the department is seeking nominations for the Commonwealth's ninth annual Best 50 Women in Business Awards. This program is conducted in cooperation with five Pennsylvania business journals.

"The Best 50 Women in Business Awards recognizes women who have forged new paths to become key decision-makers, community leaders and business owners," said Secretary Yablonsky said. "These women play a vital role in creating a new Pennsylvania. Governor Rendell and I are proud to honor them."

According to the most recent figures from the Center for Women's Business Research, more 218,000 female-owned firms in Pennsylvania employ more than 289,000 people and generate nearly $41.1 billion in sales.

"Women business leaders and business owners are creating jobs that help drive economic growth in Pennsylvania," said Secretary Yablonsky. "This award program allows the community to acknowledge these women for their contributions to the Commonwealth."

A panel of judges will select the top 50 candidates based on dedication to business growth, professional and personal accomplishments, community involvement, and advocacy for women in business.

Candidates for the award must be:

• A female resident of Pennsylvania, or be employed in the state.
   

• An owner, partner, president, chief executive officer, board chair, in
  a senior executive management level or a woman with significant
  authority for decision making in business or company.

Candidates cannot be a member of the judges' panel or a member of a judge's immediate family. They also may not represent a non-profit organization, or be an elected official, a member of the judicial branch or a political appointee.

This year's honorees will be recognized at an awards reception at the Whitaker Center in Harrisburg on May 24, 2004.

Winners will be profiled in special supplements in Central Penn Business Journal; Eastern Pennsylvania Business Journal; Northeast Pennsylvania Business Journal; Pittsburgh Business Times, and Pennsylvania Business Central.

All nominations must be postmarked by Feb. 26, 2004. Nominations can be mailed to DCED's Center for Entrepreneurial Assistance at the Commonwealth Keystone Building, 4th Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17120. Nomination guidelines are available at www.inventpa.com. For more information, contact DCED at 1-800- 379-7449.

CONTACT: Kevin Ortiz, Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, +1-717-783-1132.

www.state.pa.us

www.inventpa.com