Businnes Innovation Awards

Teen leads group honored by EDC for 'innovative spirit'

• By LAURA LAYDEN
• Naples Daily News
• Posted September 15, 2011 at 5:25 p.m

For her “innovative spirit,” Katie Price became the youngest winner of the Collier County Economic Development Council’s Excellence in Industry Awards.

The awards — handed out at a luncheon Thursday — recognize innovative local industry leaders and entrepreneurs. The event, held at the Hilton Naples off U.S. 41 south of Pine Ridge Road, coincides with Florida’s 28th Annual Industry Appreciation Week. It drew a crowd of about 280.

In search of a project for an “Invention Convention” a few years ago, Katie Price, the daughter of Naples councilman Gary Price, came up with a practical idea — charging her iPod while riding her bike. She was in fourth grade.

The EDC’s leadership told Price — now in the eighth grade — they looked forward to her next invention.

“Katie, you better get your business card ready,” quipped Lois Thome, a co-anchor for WINK News at 5, who led the awards ceremony for the EDC.

After receiving the award, 14-year-old Katie, a student at Gulfview Middle School, said she was glad to share her invention, which won her the top award in a regional science competition a few years ago.

She attached a small portable generator to the back of her bike, which charges her iPod battery as she pedals. She mounted the iPod onto the handlebars of her bike, along with a speaker, so she can listen to her music without headphones.

“Some of our friends want her to make it for them,” Gary Price said. “We already trademarked it.”

The EDC gave out nine awards this year. The other winners are:

• MyEnviro.com, Medium Business, Innovation Award
  
  Kevin and Michelle Borders, the founders of MyEnviro.com, have created a virtual, around-the-clock, Internet-based monitoring system to detect changes in moisture or temperature in a home, alerting owners to a potential problem. The duo came up with the invention after their parents’ home in Michigan flooded twice while they were in Naples. The company’s software runs on a home computer.
  
  
• Arthrex Inc., Large Business, Innovation Award
  
  The company has revolutionized arthroscopic and orthopedic surgery, with the development of more than 5,000 state-of-the-art medical devices sold worldwide. Arthrex continues to expand in Collier County.
  
  
• Taray International, Export Excellence Award
  
  The company is a supplier to the tire and retread industries worldwide and exports to more than 70 countries around the world. Taray designs retread plants and handles equipment installation and training, as well as supplying spare parts and state-of-the-art machinery.
  
  
• Florida Specialties, Business Expansion Award
  
  Based in Immokalee, the company got its start 25 years ago as a grower, packer, shipper and broker of produce. In 2009, Florida Specialities expanded its operations, investing in new processing equipment to introduce a new product called Blue Ribbon Beans. The beans are packaged in microwavable bags and sold to grocers and food distributors.
  
  
• Naples Soap Co., Entrepreneurship Award
  
  Deanna Kelley opened the Naples Soap Co. in 2009, having searched with no luck for a solution to her daughter’s eczema. When she couldn’t find quality organic soaps, she made her own. The company has growing worldwide sales.
  
  
• IberiaBank, Civic Responsibility Award
  
  Since coming to Collier County in 2009, the bank has donated more than $600,000 to local organizations and its employees have racked up hundreds of volunteer hours.
  
  
• Collier County government, Green to Gold Award
  
  The Green to Gold Award recognizes leadership in creating cost effective solutions to environmental challenges. The county has embraced forward-thinking programs that conserve resources and save taxpayer money including using motion detection devices for lights and vending machines.
  
  
• OnFast, Newcomer Award
  
  The company, less than a year old, offers businesses one gateway to market everywhere online. OnFast simplifies marketing efforts, delivering a company’s message across multiple social media outlets. Its services integrate many online marketing tools including blogs, press releases and coupon creation.
  
  

“The awardees have show perseverance and commitment to succeeding and growing in Collier County,” Thome said. “The EDC has been a great asset to these companies and many others over the years.”

Tim Cartwright, the EDC’s chairman-elect, said the awards are a good way to salute business leaders and entrepreneurs for creating jobs and strengthening the local economy.

“The county, region and state benefit when businesses invest in our community, from a more diversified tax base to improved education to enhanced job opportunities,” he said.

Connect with Laura Layden at www.naplesnews.com/staff/laura_layden