BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (AP) - Residents of 28 counties in central and western Kentucky have a chance to win thousands of dollars worth of expert help with a business idea through this year's "Buck$ for Bright Ideas" competition.

The competition is a publicly funded program run through the Central Region Innovation and Commercialization Center.

Applicants must reside in one of the 28 counties or be a full-time student in a college or university within the region.

Applications will be taken through April 17.

The counties are: Daviess, Union, Henderson, Webster, McLean, Ohio, Hancock, Butler, Logan, Simpson, Warren, Allen, Barren, Edmonson, Grayson, Breckinridge, Meade, Hardin, Nelson, Washington, Hart, LaRue, Marion, Green, Taylor, Metcalfe, Adair and Monroe.

Winners receive one-on-one help from business development experts worth more than $25,000.

More information on the program and the application are available at http://www.BucksForBrightIdeas.com .

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