SCORE and the Moore County Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with the Small Business Center of Sandhills Community College, announce the 2011 annual Good to Great contest for small businesses.

A $1,500 cash prize will be awarded to the winner. Any eligible business can enter by submitting an answer to the question: "How can my business take advantage of $1,500 to make itself more successful?" Any use the owner selects is permissible.

Contest submissions will consist of a narrative and supporting attachments, with the narrative length limited to 500 words or less.

The contest runs through April 21, with submittals due by the close of business on Thursday, April 21. Contest entries should include the name and address of the business, the contact name and office phone number and the business e-mail address.

Entries should be sent as a Microsoft Office-compatible e-mail attachment to neelym@sandhills.edu.

In announcing the contest this year, Glenn Phelps, chairman of Sandhills SCORE, urged all respondents to "be very specific in defining your needs and how the funds will be used. The submission should make a logical case for how your business will benefit from the cash prize."

Examples include reconfiguring a store or office, changing a storefront window display, remodeling, conducting a direct mail campaign, purchasing new-used equipment, developing marketing or advertising programs, taking special SCC classes and enhancing computer software.

The essay should essentially be an executive summary that can stand alone and definitively present the merits of the business' need and specific application of funds. The essay should be typed, double-spaced and contain the writer's name, postal address, telephone number and e-mail address.

Attachments may provide further detail regarding the need for or the application of the funds and may also include photographs, designs, drawings, sketches, product descriptions and equipment descriptions.

Complete contest rules can be found at www.sandhillsscore.org and at www.moorecountychamber.com.

Only one submittal per business is allowed. Sandhills SCORE and the Moore County Chamber of Commerce will jointly review and judge all submissions.

The winning entry will be notified about May 1. The cash prize to the winner will be presented at an award luncheon on Thursday, May 19.

Sandhills SCORE and the Chamber have formed an evaluation committee, chaired by Marilyn Neely, director of the Small Business Center at SCC. The committee includes members of the Chamber, SCORE and the college's management and business technology department.