FARGO -- Sally Loeffler and Jason Overland are bringing clothing and accessories for the active, outdoor lifestyle to downtown Fargo.
Their business, Outermost Layer, won the first Innovate ND In the Zone Award at the Innovate ND trade show and award ceremony Tuesday.
Loeffler and Overland, who also own Beyond Running downtown, will receive 2,000 square feet of downtown Fargo retail space on Broadway, valued at $32,000, free for one year.
The store will carry "all the things we like to wear when we're not dressed up," Loeffler said. "We're kind of just bringing back the old neighborhood-shop feel to downtown."
The Kilbourne Group sponsors the award, aimed at encouraging people with retail-based business ideas.
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Five Innovate ND winners were also named.
n Dean Floyd Toilet Boot by Ron Nissen of Minot. It provides a low-cost, disposable, sanitary and efficient way to remove a toilet.
n ZoneMAP, by Craig Helgason, Xiaodong Zhang, Jordan Schuetzle and Ryan Wanzek of Grand Forks. It is a precision mapping system for agriculture producers.
n Ridge Rite, by Dean Onchuck of Mooreton. It is a software calculator that provides simple dormer construction.
n Clean Republic by Erik Edison, Hou Yong and Michael Shope of Grand Forks. The device monitors for chemical vapors to provide a higher standard of safety and security.
n Dog IDs by Clint and Lori Howitz of West Fargo. The business produces and supplies high-quality personalized dog products.
Winners receive $10,000 and in-kind professional services to help launch and grow their businesses.
Twenty North Dakota entrepreneurs showcased their ideas at the trade show. They were all finalists in the competition, which started with 107 teams in October.
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EMC2, by Camerin Hahn, Ashley Putnam, Scott Gavett and Mohit Dhawan, of Williston won the People's Choice Award, which was determined by online voting and included a $500 cash prize. The company produces the Muscle Maze, a hardware and software package that aids in muscle rehabilitation.
The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead and the Herald are Forum Communications Co. newspapers.
