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Carmen Hickerson
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Louisville, KY (3/18/09) - The High Impact Program, a public/private partnership between Louisville Metro Government and Greater Louisville Inc.'s (GLI) ENTERPRISECORP, introduced the newest companies selected to the High Impact Portfolio during the High Impact Recognition Breakfast on March 18 at the Olmsted.
The High Impact Program identifies and serves fast-growth companies headquartered in the Metro Louisville region. Initiated by Mayor Jerry Abramson in 2003, companies meeting specific
criteria are named to the High Impact Portfolio.

Twenty businesses were recognized this year as newly selected High Impact Portfolio companies:

• America's Finest Filters Inc.
• Bellwether Software
• CreoSalus Inc.
• CSS Distribution Group Inc.
• D.D. Williamson & Co. Inc.
• Deyta LLC
• Executive Communications Inc.
• GCH International
• GlowTouch Technologies LLC
• Halo Group Inc.
• HelloMetro Inc.
• Market Finders Insurance Corp.
• Mercury Logistics Inc.
• Planet Telecom
• Practical Care & Elder Care Solutions
• R & R Limousine
• Santa Rosa Systems Inc.
• Tachau Meek PLC
• Thoroughbred Research Group
• VoicePad

Click on Photo to Enlarge

Collectively, High Impact Portfolio companies represent $2.3 billion in annual revenues; have a 36 percent average growth rate; have created nearly 3,000 new jobs in our region; and have invested $438 million over the last four years.

"The innovation and accomplishments of these companies during challenging economic times, demonstrates the significant contributions these fast-growth businesses are making to our regional economy," said Mark Crane.

This year's event also recognized the 2008 Vogt Award winners:

• NaugaNeedles LLC
• Westwind Levee Systems LLC

The Vogt Award is a program of the Community Foundation of Louisville and GLI's ENTERPRISECORP. It is intended to recognize excellence in product innovation and inspire inventors to see their ideas reach full potential. NaugaNeedles received $120,000 and Westwind Levee Systems received $10,000 in Vogt funds.

The High Impact Recognition Breakfast, held annually, also featured congratulatory remarks from Mayor Abramson and Mark Crane, Executive Director of GLI's ENTERPRISECORP.   The key note address was given by Doug Cobb, CEO of Appriss Inc.

About the High Impact Program

The High Impact program strives to nurture the prosperity of Greater Louisville's growth businesses. The High Impact Program is a public/private partnership, initiated by Mayor Jerry Abramson, funded by Louisville Metro Government and administered by GLI's ENTERPRISECORP - that identifies and serves fast growth companies, companies with the potential for fast growth and those companies that enable growth in others. This program focuses on companies of these types headquartered in Louisville that have a disproportionately higher impact on the metro area economy. For more information on the High Impact Program, visit www.HighImpactLouisville.com.

About the Vogt Invention and Innovation Award

The Vogt Invention and Innovation Award is a $5 million endowment left by Henry Vogt Heuser to help inventors and innovators develop their products and ideas. Up to $250,000 is available per year. The primary purpose of this award is to memorialize the Vogt tradition of innovation in Louisville and to give selected recipients the recognition and financial support they need to commercialize their product.