By Chris Fish
cfish@hometownnewsol.com
TITUSVILLE - Barn Light Electric Company in Titusville is currently ranked one of the top 100 American businesses in the country, based on its recognition in the Martha Stewart's American Made Competition.
The American Made Competition is described by Ms.. Stewart as a search for a new generation of small business owners made in America. Ms. Stewart said the work of the business must share the quality, beauty, inspiration, possibility and creativity that she embodies.
What started with 2,000 nominees from throughout the country was narrowed down to the top 100 businesses, considered to be the most accurate representation of what Ms. Stewart is looking for. On Oct. 8, Ms. Stewart will announce the top 10 businesses in the country, as well as a "Viewer's Choice" award in which the selected business will win $10,000.
Voting ended for the Viewer's Choice award Monday, Sept. 25, but the winner will not be announced until Oct. 8, at which time the top 10 businesses will also be recognized.
"The vote (for the top 10 businesses) is only half of what determines the winner," said Katie Fredericks, creative marketing director for Barn Light Electric Company, which sells American-made gooseneck lights and barn lighting. "The other half is Martha herself. I think, for us to win the competition, it would certainly validate all the hard work we have done in the past four years."
Barn Light Electric Company was opened four years ago by Bryan and Donna Scott and offers a wide variety of products that that they describe as a modern twist on 1930s lighting.
"We really have started from the ground up," Mr. Scott said in a press release. "Coming from a small garage in my backyard to what we have now is just mind-boggling."
Ms. Fredericks said if the company does win the contest, it would help to create morale for Titusville and the Space Coast area, following the end of the space shuttle program.
"To be described as something that is truly made in America would be such a pat on the back for us and Titusville," she said. "It would be such a great boost for the community."
For more information about Martha Stewart's American Made competition, visit http://americanmade.marthastewart.com.