MONROE - Two local businesses and two local business leaders were honored during the Green County Development Corporation's annual dinner Tuesday, April 30. The event concluded with the premier of a new Green County branding video.
Following dinner, Anna Schramke, executive director of the Green County Development Corporation, outlined the results of the 2012 Strategic Plan and reporting on some of the key economic indicators GCDC is following.
The Outstanding Business of the Year Awards were presented to Minhas Micro Distillery and Klondike Cheese Company. Outstanding Business of the Year is awarded to existing businesses that have demonstrated outstanding commitment to the county's economic growth through innovation, job creation, new investment, and/or extra-ordinary long-time interest in supporting others in business.
The Outstanding Small Business of the Year, Minhas Micro Distillery, is located adjacent to the Minhas Brewery in Monroe. "It is an excellent example of how redevelopment of an older building and be leveraged to improve the surrounding area and provide a facility that supports the needs of a growing business," Schramke said in a news release. In 2008, the owners and management of Minhas Craft Brewery started researching the possibility of developing a distillery, and in 2011, that idea became a reality. The distillery "tasting room" opened during Cheese Days 2012 and attendance has been growing every since.
The project started with installing filling and packaging equipment and renovating the building to comply with regulations of a distillery. Installation of a pot still, distillation column, and support equipment soon followed. Installation required the construction of a 34-foot tower to house the distillation column, designed to complement the architectural style of the Green County Historic Courthouse tower. Minhas has grown in the last year adding on to the building and also adding jobs for the people of Green County. The company now employs 20. Containers of product have been shipped as far as California as well as Canada, Schramke said.
The Outstanding Large Business of the Year was presented to Klondike Cheese Company. Klondike Cheese Company is a fourth-generation, family-owned cheese factory. Brothers, Ron, Steve and Dave, all Wisconsin Master Cheesemakers, have seen the company grow significantly since deciding to begin producing feta cheese in 1988.
"Since its beginning in 1925, Klondike Cheese Company has been dedicated to making the best tasting cheese possible. Their artful cheese making has won them many awards over the years," Schramke said in the release. In March, at the U.S. Cheese Championship, the company took four awards for Best in Class and an additional six awards for second or third in class. It's Dill Havarti was chosen one of the top 16 cheeses of the competition.
Also in March, Klondike started producing Greek yogurt. The new 33,000-square-foot, $10 million facility expects to produce 100,000 pounds of yogurt per week. Klondike will be the first major yogurt plant in the Midwest offering Greek-style yogurt. Klondike currently employs more than 110 people and expects to add 20 more. Milk is provided by more than 80 dairies within a 40- to 45-mile radius, and Klondike's products are shipped to points across the United States, Schramke said.
Noting his role in Klondike's decision to move into Greek yogurt production, Adam Buholzer was also presented the Entrepreneurial Spirit Award. The Entrepreneurial Spirit Award is presented to a successful new business owner and/or a local entrepreneur who was instrumental in the implementation of a new project, innovative concept or other visionary endeavor that enhances the county's key industry clusters and demonstrates a potential for significant future growth in Green County.
Adam Buholzer is a graduate of University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in chemical engineering. As part of the quality team at Klondike Cheese, he responds to customers and assists patrons on quality. He is spearheading the Klondike Cheese Company's Greek yogurt expansion. The project took more than two years to research, evaluate and plan - research that included a trip to Greece to visit a plant that has been in operation since 1954.
John Baumann was named the 2013 Richard B. Schmied Leadership Award recipient. The winner of the award exemplifies the character of a true leader, Schramke said. Noting that Baumann is well known for his role as president and CEO of Colony Brands, GCDC wanted to recognize Baumann for the other roles he plays in the county and the impact his involvement has had on the people of Green County, Schramke said. Baumann has been involved with many boards over the years - most recently, the Green County Humane Society, Monroe Arts Center, Green County YMCA, Monroe Main Street, Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Alumni Association and Board of Visitors of UW School of Veterinary Medicine.
"Whatever John is involved with, he empowers people to rise to levels they never anticipate. He brings integrity, joy and passion to all he does," Schramke said.
Following the awards, Reed Hall, CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, outlined how the state is working to be more successful in attracting new investments. He outlined the corporation's marketing plan and optimism for the future.
The evening closed with a brief presentation on the Green County brand. Noreen Rueckert, Green County Tourism Director, shared the results of the branding initiative started in 2010. The presentation culminated with the premier of the county's new branding video. The video will be posted on the new county landing page, www.GreenCountyWisconsin.info, later this year.
Also attending the dinner, held at Peppercorn Banquets in Monroe, were state Sen. Dale Schultz; Rep. Janis Ringhand, 45th District; Rep. Howard Marklein, 51st District; and Ginger Kollmansberger, representative for Sen. Ron Johnson.
The GCDC is a multi-jurisdictional economic development corporation and was formed to bring professional economic development expertise to its member communities. More information can be found online at www.GreenCountyEDC.com.
Following dinner, Anna Schramke, executive director of the Green County Development Corporation, outlined the results of the 2012 Strategic Plan and reporting on some of the key economic indicators GCDC is following.
The Outstanding Business of the Year Awards were presented to Minhas Micro Distillery and Klondike Cheese Company. Outstanding Business of the Year is awarded to existing businesses that have demonstrated outstanding commitment to the county's economic growth through innovation, job creation, new investment, and/or extra-ordinary long-time interest in supporting others in business.
The Outstanding Small Business of the Year, Minhas Micro Distillery, is located adjacent to the Minhas Brewery in Monroe. "It is an excellent example of how redevelopment of an older building and be leveraged to improve the surrounding area and provide a facility that supports the needs of a growing business," Schramke said in a news release. In 2008, the owners and management of Minhas Craft Brewery started researching the possibility of developing a distillery, and in 2011, that idea became a reality. The distillery "tasting room" opened during Cheese Days 2012 and attendance has been growing every since.
The project started with installing filling and packaging equipment and renovating the building to comply with regulations of a distillery. Installation of a pot still, distillation column, and support equipment soon followed. Installation required the construction of a 34-foot tower to house the distillation column, designed to complement the architectural style of the Green County Historic Courthouse tower. Minhas has grown in the last year adding on to the building and also adding jobs for the people of Green County. The company now employs 20. Containers of product have been shipped as far as California as well as Canada, Schramke said.
The Outstanding Large Business of the Year was presented to Klondike Cheese Company. Klondike Cheese Company is a fourth-generation, family-owned cheese factory. Brothers, Ron, Steve and Dave, all Wisconsin Master Cheesemakers, have seen the company grow significantly since deciding to begin producing feta cheese in 1988.
"Since its beginning in 1925, Klondike Cheese Company has been dedicated to making the best tasting cheese possible. Their artful cheese making has won them many awards over the years," Schramke said in the release. In March, at the U.S. Cheese Championship, the company took four awards for Best in Class and an additional six awards for second or third in class. It's Dill Havarti was chosen one of the top 16 cheeses of the competition.
Also in March, Klondike started producing Greek yogurt. The new 33,000-square-foot, $10 million facility expects to produce 100,000 pounds of yogurt per week. Klondike will be the first major yogurt plant in the Midwest offering Greek-style yogurt. Klondike currently employs more than 110 people and expects to add 20 more. Milk is provided by more than 80 dairies within a 40- to 45-mile radius, and Klondike's products are shipped to points across the United States, Schramke said.
Noting his role in Klondike's decision to move into Greek yogurt production, Adam Buholzer was also presented the Entrepreneurial Spirit Award. The Entrepreneurial Spirit Award is presented to a successful new business owner and/or a local entrepreneur who was instrumental in the implementation of a new project, innovative concept or other visionary endeavor that enhances the county's key industry clusters and demonstrates a potential for significant future growth in Green County.
Adam Buholzer is a graduate of University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in chemical engineering. As part of the quality team at Klondike Cheese, he responds to customers and assists patrons on quality. He is spearheading the Klondike Cheese Company's Greek yogurt expansion. The project took more than two years to research, evaluate and plan - research that included a trip to Greece to visit a plant that has been in operation since 1954.
John Baumann was named the 2013 Richard B. Schmied Leadership Award recipient. The winner of the award exemplifies the character of a true leader, Schramke said. Noting that Baumann is well known for his role as president and CEO of Colony Brands, GCDC wanted to recognize Baumann for the other roles he plays in the county and the impact his involvement has had on the people of Green County, Schramke said. Baumann has been involved with many boards over the years - most recently, the Green County Humane Society, Monroe Arts Center, Green County YMCA, Monroe Main Street, Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Alumni Association and Board of Visitors of UW School of Veterinary Medicine.
"Whatever John is involved with, he empowers people to rise to levels they never anticipate. He brings integrity, joy and passion to all he does," Schramke said.
Following the awards, Reed Hall, CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, outlined how the state is working to be more successful in attracting new investments. He outlined the corporation's marketing plan and optimism for the future.
The evening closed with a brief presentation on the Green County brand. Noreen Rueckert, Green County Tourism Director, shared the results of the branding initiative started in 2010. The presentation culminated with the premier of the county's new branding video. The video will be posted on the new county landing page, www.GreenCountyWisconsin.info, later this year.
Also attending the dinner, held at Peppercorn Banquets in Monroe, were state Sen. Dale Schultz; Rep. Janis Ringhand, 45th District; Rep. Howard Marklein, 51st District; and Ginger Kollmansberger, representative for Sen. Ron Johnson.
The GCDC is a multi-jurisdictional economic development corporation and was formed to bring professional economic development expertise to its member communities. More information can be found online at www.GreenCountyEDC.com.