Green County Development Corporation (GCDC) celebrated our businesses, leaders, and community at the Annual Dinner & Awards on March 21st. These celebrations have been going on for years, but for Olivia and myself, this is our second time planning and hosting this event.
During our first few months back in 2022 we were tasked with pulling this celebration together. It was a bit daunting having been in our roles such a brief time, and not knowing many people in the area yet, but we did it! The dinner was a bit off schedule because of leadership changes in our office, and way overdue because of covid, so we figured people were ready to celebrate and meet the new GCDC team. We ended up with enough nominees for awards to make voting challenging, and a final count of 110 in attendance. It was a lovely evening, and overall, we were pleased to have held a successful event.
Fast forward from November of 2022 to March of 2023. Numbers tell us that we have come a long way in getting to know our community, and helping our community get to know us. Our 2024 Annual Dinner & Awards brought in over 18 total nominations across three awards, and over 200 people to celebrate and honor the incredible businesses, leaders, and community that we have in Green County.
While not everyone nominated can be a winner, we believe it truly speaks to the type of business and leadership that should be honored and recognized regardless of final votes. Nominations are accepted from anyone, and this year a lot of people wanted us to know what they thought of some of the amazing people and companies in Green County!
This year’s Green County Award Nominees:
The Outstanding Business of the Year Award – honors an existing business that has demonstrated outstanding commitment to the county’s economic growth through innovation, job creation, new investment, and/or extraordinary long-time interest in supporting others in business.
● Brooklyn Barn
● Ludlow Mansion & Events
● Main Street Music & Events, Brooklyn
● Pink Heifer Saloon & Smokehouse
● SSM Health
● Dirty Dog Taphaus
● Decatur Cheese Plant
● Precision Drive & Control
The Entrepreneurial Spirit Award – honors an entrepreneur who leads the way for their business, demonstrating a growth mindset, a strong work ethic, a willingness to learn and find solutions to challenges, and a hunger for opportunity.
● Tess Palmer, Trouvaille Coffee Co.
● Angie Schumacher, Full Moon Brew Bar
● Scott Mosher and Kyle Keehn, M&K Properties
● Andy and Lisa Beach, Son of a Beach Beef, LLC
● Joey and Jordyn VanMatre, TruHome and several other businesses
● Chelsea Andrews, Nuturing Tree Learning Academy
The Richard B. Schmied Leadership Award – commemorates Richard B. Schmied, remembered for the characteristics of leadership he exhibited. The winner of the award exemplifies the character of a true leader.
● Trent Henning
● Kasey Bruehlman
● Dan Wegmueller
● Chad Kundert
Sharing our year in review, all the accomplishments made in 2023 and recognizing and celebrating EVERYONE that was nominated, and that chose to celebrate with us demonstrates to us the truth we already know. Green County Wisconsin is The Place to Be. What we already have here is amazing. The abundance of opportunity, the incredible people, and the majestic landscape makes us excited for the future.
Thank you for inviting us into the fold so graciously and letting us take the helm at running what was already an incredible organization. While we wrap-up this year’s celebration and recognition of our award nominees, we want you join us in congratulating our nominees. We also want you to know, we celebrate ALL of you. We couldn’t do what we do without you.
As always, more to come!
— Tracy Brewer is the Marketing & Project Manager of the Green County Development Corporation (GCDC). She can be reached at tracy@greencountydevelopment.com, or by calling 608-328-9452.
