Two businesses were awarded a total of $30,000 Friday in a competition sponsored by Shelby County Developsource. Iowa Agricultural Bio-Fibers, owned by Alan Chute, Don Cordes and John Schechinger, will receive $20,000 to assist in building expansion costs. And, Panama Diesel, owned by Josh and Theresa Kaufman, will receive $10,000, to purchase new diagnostic computer software.

A total of four businesses presented Friday, in the final round of the business plan competition sponsored by Shelby County DevelopSource.  The other businesses were Norsemen Brewing Company, and The Salon Suites. All of the finalists were selected from nine applicants.  The presentations were held at the Therkildsen Center before a panel of five judges and a nice contingent of interested observers.

Officials say there was a great deal of interest in the program and Shelby County DevelopSource expects to sponsor a second competition in 2012 in conjunction with their partners – City of Harlan, Harlan Industrial Foundation, Harlan Municipal Utilities, Shelby County Board of Supervisors, Bank of the West, Defiance State Bank, Farmers Trust and Savings Bank, Midstates Bank, Shelby County State Bank, Town & Country Credit Union, and United Bank of Iowa.