The victor brought owner Clayton Gillett $15,000 to help grow his burgeoning business.

“I am so grateful for the opportunity and extremely grateful to be selected,” Gillett said. “These funds will help expand our reach as well as positively impact our region’s infrastructure development by delivering the equipment needed for timely jobs. I’m excited for the future.”

Gillett Hauling, which began operating in April 2022, plans to use the prize to purchase a third truck, rebrand its modest fleet of trucks, upgrade the driver’s seats in all of the trucks and hire another driver.

The $5,000 second place prize went to Kitchen Council-based gluten-free cookie company OCookieOs.

“REV is such a great opportunity to grow in our community and a jumping pad to further launch our business into more markets,” said owner Nichole Bartlett. “We are excited to continue to expand our brand presence and streamline our processes as well as showcase our hallmark of ‘deliciousness delivered’ with each customer.”

OCookieOs plans to use the funds for product analysis to improve their food labeling, an automatic band sealer and packaging trimmer, and custom delivery truck branding to increase local awareness of the company.

Between July 1 and Sept. 10, more than 43 REV applications were received by TS Bank, Advance Southwest Iowa Corporation and other partners. A third-party selection committee whittled down the applicants to five finalists.

Those five entrepreneurs pitched their local small businesses in front of a live audience of about 200 people and four judges — Growth Guru founder Rick Faber, PowerTech president Josh Kallsen, Tandem Works co-founder Vivian Kvam, and InnoVenture Iowa investment director Kaylee Williams — who evaluated various aspects of their businesses.

The three other finalists were Bev’s Porch, a Neola coffee and crafts shop; Entry Envy, an Omaha-based faux floral arrangement subscription service; and Judge Richard Distillery, which aims to be the first whiskey distillery in Pottawattamie County when it opens its currently under construction doors next year in Carson.

Five “spotlight” businesses that didn’t make the final five, but rounded out the top 10, were also represented. Dillard Management, Humbl Roots, Neighborhood Bakehouse, Nexus Aero Systems, and Serenity Massage and Energywork Day Spa took part in a People’s Choice Award, decided by those in attendance who voted by scanning a QR code with their phones. Nightshade-free pasta sauce maker Humbl Roots won the $500 prize sponsored by Nebraska Enterprise Fund.

“We are so grateful for the exposure and networking with others,” Humbl Roots owner Jake Burkland said. “The People’s Choice Award will help us pay for more ingredients and to get the word out about our business.”

TS Bank originally started REV in 2015 in an effort to spur economic growth and encourage business owners to continue pursuing their dreams. Since then, TS Bank and Advance Southwest Iowa have teamed up to run the competition and host the signature event. To date, they’ve awarded $138,000 in funding.