YORKTON – The Yorkton area recipients of the Young Entrepreneur Bursary Program were presented their cheques at the Yorkton Chamber of Commerce Board Room Friday.
The Young Entrepreneur Bursary Program is a province-wide initiative designed to support the development and long-term success of Saskatchewan’s emerging entrepreneurs. The recipients were Yorkton’s Kurtis Decker and Langenburg’s Kaylee Miller.
“Decker is the owner of Diamond Asphalt Repair,” explained Juanita Polegi, the Chamber’s Executive Director at the presentation. “A small Asphalt Repair business, it focuses on rural communities and rural municipalities throughout Saskatchewan.”
Diamond Asphalt does pothole repair, rubber crack sealing and chip sealing.
“During the summer, it employed five people plus one full-time year-round employee,” said Polegi.
Established in 2004, Kurtis purchased Diamond Asphalt in 2023.
“Diamond Asphalt strives to maintain the streets and roadways of small communities to help keep them safe,” offered Polegi.
Decker said he is happy to be recognized.
“It’s an honour to be recognized with the other entrants,” he said, adding being a recipient helps get the business name out there, and the money will never come amiss.
Miller is the owner of Insightful Growth Pathways based in Langenburg.
“Insightful Growth Pathways offers holistic person-centred ABA services for children with autism and their families,” related Polegi. “Through individualized behaviour plans, social skills groups, parent training and transitional supports, Insightful Growth Pathways promotes meaningful progress, independence and quality of life. The company is rooted in compassion, respect, evidence-based practice and family collaboration.
“Its core activities include assessments, tailored interventions, staff and caregiver coaching and ongoing data driven evaluation. Insightful Growth Pathways serves families seeking ethical, inclusive and empowering therapy supports that focus on whole person and lifelong growth.”
Miller said the award is about more than the cheque.
“I think for me it’s an opportunity to get my message out there,” she said.
Miller then added the money will be useful too, to add some assessment material and tools to the office.
In addition to the funds, the recipients will have access to exclusive mentorship workshops and meet other young entrepreneurs from across the province.
Decker said it always beneficial to talk to someone with business experience, saying “you want to learn as much as you can. It’s something you try to take advantage of as much as you can.”
In a release, Polegi said the Yorkton Chamber of Commerce is pleased the government is willing to assist young entrepreneurs to build and grow their businesses.
“The strength of our business community is dependent on entrepreneurs. Providing assistance to the young entrepreneurs in our communities will ensure both a thriving business community into the future and a thriving community at large, as well,” she said.
The Government of Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Trade and Export Development provided to the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce funding to award 57 promising young business owners bursaries of $5000 each. To be eligible, young entrepreneurs are between the ages of 18 and 35 years; own a for-profit business based in the province; and have been in business for less than 10 years.
From over 340 applications, 57 recipients from 48 communities were selected to receive the Award.
