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GCDC announces its annual award recipients
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The Green County Development Corporation held its annual dinner April 25 and announced its award recipients. TOP: Pictured from left, are Amy Brandt, GCDC project/marketing manager; Mike Johnson, GCDC executive director; and Teresa and Ric Joranlien, owners of Hawks Mill Winery, which was named the Outstanding Buisiness of the Year. ABOVE: Johnson is shown with Bryan Gadow, New Glarus village administrator, who earned the Richard B. Schmied Leadership Award. Johnsons last day with GCDC was April 26. (Photos supplied)


MONROE - The Green County Development Corporation held its annual dinner April 25 at Turner Hall in Monroe. The evening recognized outstanding community and business leaders and concluded with a keynote presentation on positive rural trends and strategies to help small towns and rural communities become more idea-friendly.

Outstanding Business of the Year was presented to Hawk's Mill Winery, owned and operated by Ric and Teresa Joranlien.

The Joranliens expanded Hawk's Mill into downtown New Glarus, acquiring the Primrose Winery in 2016 and recently opened its doors for business.

They started a small vineyard on their property in 2012 and enjoyed making homemade wines in their basement.

They purchased the adjoining property and residence, starting a renovation process in late 2013 and opened the winery outside of Browntown in early 2015, adding a wine production building later that year.

The Richard B. Schmied Leadership Award was presented to Bryan Gadow, New Glarus village administrator. Since his hiring in 2015, Gadow has improved communication among the New Glarus village board, the village staff, and the local New Glarus community.

Gadow also has improved the village's budget process by creating budget documents that are clear and transparent. Along with taking a lead in developing five-year plans for maintenance and replacement of capital items, Gadow has been instrumental in the village's participation in the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation's "Connect Communities" program.

The keynote presentation by author and business owner Becky McCray offered a dynamic and thought-provoking presentation focused on positive rural trends and practical steps for shaping the future of Green County communities.

GCDC, a multijurisdictional economic development corporation, was formed to bring professional economic development expertise to its member communities, creating a competitive advantage and spurring job creation and new investments through public-private partnerships.

For more information, visit the GCDC web site at GreenCountyEDC.com.