Intuit Running "Love a Local Business" Sweepstakes and Event

Software maker Intuit is offering local businesses across America a chance to win a share of more than $100,000 in business grants, if their customers say the love them.

The grants are part of Intuit's "Love a Local Business Grant Competition." A panel of expert judges will select one business to receive February's grand prize - a grant worth $35,000. The winner's package includes:

• A local radio advertising campaign on the Westwood One network
• A cash grant to help grow the business
• Intuit products and services for managing the business.

The company announced that four other winners in February will win grants worth $5,000 each.

Fans of the local business can nominate their favorite business at www.LoveALocalBusiness.com.

Love a Local Business Sacramento Event

The company also announced it will host a "Love a Local Business" event in Sacramento, CA in support of small local businesses there. In a recent Intuit survey of more than 500 Sacramento residents, 90 percent said small business is vital to building strong communities and neighborhoods. Additionally, 65 percent said they wished there were more small businesses in their area.

The event is free and will be held on March 12th - 13th in Sacramento's Midtown Business District, at 1801 L St., Suite 70. The event will offer local businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs the opportunity to receive cash grants, win free Intuit products and services, get advice from business experts and network with other small business owners who are part of the Sacramento local business community. Organizations that support Sacramento businesses, such as the Small Business Development Center - Greater Sacramento and SAFE Credit Union, will also have a presence at the event. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on March 12, and from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on March 13.

Sacramento businesses that are entered in the Love a Local Business competition will have special opportunities to win additional grants. Those who attend the Sacramento event will be eligible to win one of five $1,000 cash grants, plus free Intuit products and services. Additionally, each week from now until the event, three participating businesses will be randomly selected to win $500 cash grants.

Additional details on the Sacramento event are available at www.LoveALocalBusiness.com/Sacramento.