The “Talents of the Valleys” contest was created in 2013 at the initiative of the Association for the Advice of Entrepreneur Creators (ACEC)* of the Alpes-Maritimes.
It is dedicated to the creation/acquisition of businesses in the valleys and rewards business creators or project holders established in the valleys of the mid and upper regions of the Alpes-Maritimes.
The contest aims to promote both an entrepreneurial approach and a business or project with a civic dimension.
Particularly attentive to the economic development of the mid and upper azurean regions, the Department wished to associate itself with this contest.
For this second edition, 30 candidates submitted their applications in the categories “Agriculture/Nature”, “Commerce”, and “Craftsmanship”. 13 projects were selected and then interviewed by the members of the jury, 7 were awarded prizes.
The 7 distinguished “talents of the valleys” entrepreneurs are:
Craftsmanship Prize: Mrs. Sophie AUDIBERT for her beauty company in LA BRIGUE.
Agriculture/Nature Prize: Mr. Médéric BAILET for his farm and sheep and goat breeding in CHÂTEAUNEUF-VILLEVIEILLE.
Commerce Prize: Mrs. Manon SAUVAGE for her bakery in LANTOSQUE.
Alpes-Maritimes Department Prize: Mr. Eric MICHELI for his garage in GUILLAUMES.
Special Initiative Prize awarded by Initiative Nice Côte d’Azur: Mrs. Blandine FAVA, florist in BLAUSASC.
Two special mention prizes:
Mr. Alexandre ROSSO for his park and garden equipment maintenance and sales business in CLANS;
Mrs. Christine SCARAMOZZINO, for her project to rehabilitate the Château de la Causega in FONTAN, to make it a respite place for families weakened by illness or disability, as well as a site hosting training and seminars.
Each in their field has shown the boldness, creativity, and courage indispensable to the success of a business, and even more so in rural areas.
This success rewards their efforts and recognizes their qualities, while offering development prospects for their activities.
Passionate about their activities, but also about their territories that they contribute to developing and energizing, these entrepreneurs are proof that one can undertake, innovate, and succeed in the mid and upper azurean regions.
Eric Ciotti, president of the Departmental Council, expressed all his satisfaction: “So many aids that illustrate the Department’s commitment to the businesses of the Alpes-Maritimes, and today we all think of those business owners, artisans, and traders who lost their working tools following the deadly weather conditions last weekend, and for whom the Department yesterday morning voted an exceptional aid of 1 million euros.”
