Local entrepreneurs wishing to develop or expand their business have been competing to win cash prizes in the 2022 San Angelo Business Plan Competition. Of the 37 entries in the competition, three made the finals. The winners were announced at the Wednesday, Nov. 16, Development Corporation meeting at City Hall.

The grand prize of $40,000 was awarded to Plateau Brewing Company, a brewery and taproom in downtown San Angelo. Plateau, managed by Michael Choate, Ross Baxter, Dan Adney and Luke Horton, operates out of a historic building on South Chadbourne. The competition earnings will allow for the brewery to build a new shaded patio, which will include an elevated stage for outdoor music, speakers and TVs, heaters and more. The patio will expand Plateau’s seating capacity by up to 20% and include features to make it comfortable for patrons year-round.

Second place was awarded to Reyes Diesel Service, a commercial diesel repair shop owned by Guadalupe Reyes and his wife Patricia Garza. Reyes Diesel Service will use its earnings to purchase additional inventory of parts, as well as a computer system to help track the inventory. Being able to increase their parts inventory will significantly decrease turnaround time and allow the business to expand to sell truck parts. The second-place prize is $20,000.

Third place, which includes $10,000 in prize earnings, was awarded to The Bearded Barista, owned by husband-wife duo Nat and Kim Turney. The Bearded Barista is a local owned and operated coffee roastery and shop that also offers eats such as bagels, paninis and an array of baked goods. A missing ingredient the Turneys have identified in the business is mobility. They plan to use their earnings to kick off the expansion of The Bearded Barista Express, a mobile coffee shop that would also provide catering services for public or private events and parties.

The City of San Angelo Development Corporation, which administers the half-cent sales tax for economic development, funds the $70,000 in cash prizes. Winners also received in-kind rewards and may be eligible to apply for COSADC’s Business Factory incubator program located at the Business Resource Center downtown.

Advisers from the Angelo State University Small Business Development Center (ASU SBDC) and students from the ASU Norris-Vincent College of Business aided entrants in drafting the plans.

The competition was coordinated by COSADC, ASU SBDC and the ASU Norris-Vincent College of Business.