Dalton company among winners in Idea Leap Grant competition

Published 2:00 pm Friday, May 24, 2024

Dalton Brewing Co. was one of the winners in the Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union’s seventh annual Idea Leap Grant competition.

The winners from the Northwest Georgia area are Cake Addicts ($30,000), Insane Paintball ($15,000), Dalton Brewing Co. ($10,000), Caffeine Addicts ($10,000) and Dyer Livestock Beef ($10,000).

Tommy Nix, vice president of Business and Commercial Services for the Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union, said, “This marks the second year of the expanded Idea Leap Grant program in the Chattanooga, Ocoee and Northwest Georgia areas. TVFCU is thrilled to empower more small businesses and fuel economic growth across the 17 counties we proudly serve. On behalf of our entire credit union, I extend heartfelt congratulations to the 15 remarkable businesses who secured grants during this year’s program.”

Since its inception in 2018, the Idea Leap Grant has awarded approximately $750,000 in grants and scholarships to small businesses.

The selection process included panels of volunteer judges whose expertise ensured the grant recipients embodied the spirit of innovation and growth.

The Northwest Georgia Region judges were Andy Baxter, owner of Baxter Dean Studios; Jonathan Connell, owner of MedSTAT Supplies; Kristie Gazaway, sales director at JMB Office Solutions; Phenna Petty, board member from the 14th Congressional District of the Georgia Department of Education; Purvi Patel, owner of Dos Bros Fresh Mexican Grill; and Yulian Paramo, owner of Dalton Rug and a realtor at Keller Williams Dalton.

The Idea Leap Grant builds on the success of the Idea Leap Loan Initiative launched in 2016. To date, the credit union has provided more than $5 million in loans to emerging and early-stage businesses. For more information about the Idea Leap Grant, please visit tvfcu.com.

Submitted by the Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union.