MillerCoors Prepares to Award $150,000 to Small Business Owners, Extends Application Deadline

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CHICAGO, Oct. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- MillerCoors has extended the deadline for application to the MillerCoors Urban Entrepreneurs Series, (MUES) which provides aspiring entrepreneurs the opportunity to win a portion of $150,000.  For more than ten years, the MUES program has supported entrepreneurs and has become a staple in the business community.

"This competition is well worth the challenge," said Rex Wills, 2009 $100,000 winner.  "Both the prize money and feedback can help set the foundation for your business. If you plan on entering the competition and want a chance at the $150,000 prize pool make sure to get your plan written and reviewed early. You definitely don't want to miss out."

Aspiring entrepreneurs are encouraged to submit their business plans by Friday, October 28, 2011 at noon, CST. The MUES competition is open to participants ages 21 and older and whose business enterprise is not older than five years.  All entries must be submitted to www.MillerCoorsMUES.com. Winners can also potentially become a qualified MillerCoors supplier.

"At MillerCoors, we know that jobs are needed to build great communities. We want to do our part to empower small business development, which is helping to drive our economy," said Larry Waters, director of multicultural relations for MillerCoors.  "The MUES program is a resource for aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners.  Through this competition, entrepreneurs compete for much-needed capital to fuel and grow their businesses."

In addition to the MUES competition, MillerCoors declared August 1 through 5 as "National Urban Entrepreneurs Week," hosting a variety of activities to inform budding entrepreneurs on how to write an award-winning business plan. The week's activities included a Twitter party with Black Enterprise's editor-at-large, Alfred A. Edmonds, Jr., and the launch of a new Webinar video series "Business Plan Essentials."

Announced earlier this year, the 2011 winners continue the rich legacy of diverse and progressive companies with services ranging from energy audits to a shared kitchen and catering service and electronic point-of-sale software.  Rising to the top this year were five dynamic businesses that won a total of $150,000 in business grants. The grand prize winners, Nikhil Aurora and Alejandro Velez of BTTR Ventures LLC took home the top prize of $50,000. Other grant winners were Quianna Lloyd of Barazzo™, Terethia Waller of The Benson Mills Group, LLC., Jerome Young of Attract Jobs NOW, and Nancy Nkansah of Ncapsul who each won $25,000.

For more information, helpful resources for developing a business plan and the official rules and requirements of the MUES Business Plan Competition, visit www.MillerCoorsMUES.com

Several business organizations support the MUES program, including the Atlanta Business League, the Chicago Urban League, the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Dallas, the National Association of Asian American Professionals, the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and additional local chambers and chapters of the Urban League.

About MillerCoors

MillerCoors brews, markets and sells the MillerCoors portfolio of brands in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.  Built on a foundation of great beer brands and nearly 300 years of brewing heritage, MillerCoors continues the commitment of its founders to brew the highest quality beers.  MillerCoors is the second-largest beer company in America, capturing nearly 30 percent of U.S. beer sales.  Led by two of the best-selling beers in the industry, MillerCoors has a broad portfolio of highly complementary brands across every major industry segment.  Miller Lite is the great-tasting beer that established the American light beer category in 1975, and Coors Light is the brand that introduced consumers to Rocky Mountain cold refreshment.  MillerCoors brews premium beers Coors Banquet and Miller Genuine Draft, and economy brands Miller High Life and Keystone Light. The company also offers innovative products such as MGD 64, Miller Chill and Sparks.  Tenth and Blake Beer Company, MillerCoors new craft and import company, imports Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Pilsner Urquell and Grolsch and features craft brews from the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company, Blue Moon Brewing Company and the Blitz-Weinhard Brewing Company.  MillerCoors operates eight major breweries in the U.S., as well as the Leinenkugel's craft brewery in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, and two microbreweries, the 10th Street Brewery in Milwaukee and the Blue Moon Brewing Company at Coors Field in Denver.  MillerCoors vision is to create the best beer company in America by driving profitable industry growth.  MillerCoors insists on building its brands the right way through brewing quality, responsible marketing and environmental and community impact.  MillerCoors is a joint venture of SABMiller plc and Molson Coors Brewing Company.

SOURCE MillerCoors