Total $1.4 Million in Business Grants Awarded 2009-10 Winners Announced, with $200,000 in Grants Awarded

(BLACK PR WIRE) CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Celebrating 10 years of economic empowerment through its MillerCoors Urban Entrepreneurs Series (MUES), MillerCoors has awarded $1.4 million to emerging minority businesses since 1999. Over the past decade, 100 entrepreneurial enterprises have received grants from the company to either start, or further develop their business.

“Ultimately, our goal is to foster economic growth and to one-day turn many of the businesses that come through the program into minority suppliers for our company,” said Larry Waters, director of multicultural relations for MillerCoors. “MUES is much more than just a hand-out. We track the progress of our winners, and maintain contact with them offering tools, resources and counsel to help ensure their success.”

The MUES program was launched in 1999 to stimulate economic growth and development in urban communities. The program continues to chart steady growth, providing Web-based educational resources including Webinars, blogs and business advice from national judges and past winners.

Continuing its commitment to small business development, MillerCoors recently announced the winners of its 2009-2010 MUES Competition. Rising to the top of a highly competitive field were five dynamic businesses, which competed by developing and presenting viable business plans for a total of $200,000 in business grants. The winners were honored in a special gala reception hosted at MillerCoors new corporate headquarters in Chicago.

“We are fully invested in helping small businesses succeed, especially given the current economic climate,” Waters stated. “As an industry leader, we recognize that entrepreneurship fuels our economy and ultimately provides economic empowerment and job creation.”

“Celebrating the 10th anniversary of MUES is phenomenal, and speaks volumes to the commitment of MillerCoors,” said eDali Pollard, senior business consultant, Entrepreneurship Center for the Chicago Urban League. “We cannot express how important a program of this type is to helping entrepreneurs obtain, and build further upon a solid foundation.”

MillerCoors 2009-10 winners join a rich legacy of diverse and progressive companies, with concepts ranging from energy audits, custom gaming and advertising, a shared kitchen and catering service and electronic point-of-sale software.

In acknowledgement of the program’s 10th anniversary, the top winner received a grant of $100,000, with the four runners-up receiving grants of $25,000 each to contribute to either the start-up or expansion of their businesses. The 2009-2010 winners are:

• Rex Wills â"‚$100,000�
Hi-tek POS – Raleigh, NC

• Di Yonna Mitchell and Yohance Mitchell â"‚$25,000
Vision Tutoring – Rex, GA

• Tonya Ojuluwayo â"‚$25,000
Splice Kitchen – Chicago, IL

• Joshua Hernandez and Justin Moore â"‚$25,000
Tap Me Games – Chicago, IL

• Karen DaCosta and Malcolm Jackson â"‚$25,000
BumbleBee Energy Solutions – Grand Prairie, TX

The new season of the MUES series is set to launch May 1st, and will continue its green efforts embarked upon in 2009 with online entry and judging platforms via the program Web site.

MillerCoors is also proud to acknowledge its longtime national community partnerships with the Atlanta Business League, the Chicago Urban League, the Detroit Urban League, the Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Dallas, the Urban League of Greater Dallas and North Central Texas, Recycling Black Dollars of Los Angeles, the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee and the Milwaukee Urban League. The MUES program has received the endorsement of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) for the second consecutive year.

About MillerCoors

Built on a foundation of great beer brands and more than 288 years of brewing heritage, MillerCoors continues the commitment of its founders to brew the highest quality beers. MillerCoors is the second largest beer company in America, capturing nearly 30 percent of U.S. beer sales. Led by two of the best-selling beers in the industry, MillerCoors has a broad portfolio of highly complementary brands across every major industry segment. Miller Lite is the great tasting beer that established the American light beer category in 1975, and Coors Light is the brand that introduced consumers to refreshment as cold as the Rockies. MGD 64 completes the company’s premium light beer portfolio, offering consumers fresh, crisp taste at just 64 calories. MillerCoors brews premium beers Coors Banquet and Miller Genuine Draft; and economy brands Miller High Life and Keystone Light. The company also imports Peroni Nastro Azzurro, Pilsner Urquell, Grolsch and Molson Canadian and offers innovative products such as Miller Chill and Sparks. MillerCoors features craft brews from the Jacob Leinenkugel Company, Blue Moon Brewing Company and the Blitz-Weinhard Brewing Company. MillerCoors operates eight major breweries in the U.S., as well as the Leinenkugel’s craft brewery in Chippewa Falls, WI and two microbreweries, the 10th Street Brewery in Milwaukee and the Blue Moon Brewing Company at Coors Field in Denver. MillerCoors vision is to create America’s best beer company by driving profitable industry growth. MillerCoors insists on building its brands the right way through brewing quality, responsible marketing and environmental and community impact. MillerCoors is a joint venture of SABMiller plc and Molson Coors Brewing Company.