Douglas County businesses receive Spotlight Awards

Several South Shore businesses were among those honored during the 2nd Annual Douglas County Spotlight Awards. The Spotlight Awards recognize businesses in seven different categories: Retail, Restaurant, Manufacturing and Production, Sports and Recreation, Entrepreneur, Business and Professional Service, and Tourism and Hospitality.

The ceremony was held the County’s Financial State of the County event on Thursday, June 11.

The businesses were selected based on achieving some or many of the following eligibility criteria:

• Continuing to persevere during the economic downturn
• Are unique and marketable
• Are involved in the community or business community
• Are investing in their businesses
• Have exhibited ability to partner with public and/or non-profit sector
• Have developed or refined their business plans
• Taking steps to provide employee training or growth opportunities

Selections were made based on staff knowledge and input from business organizations such as the local Chambers of Commerce, the Business Council of Douglas County and the Business Resource Innovation Center, which provides business counseling for Douglas businesses.

"The business owners in Douglas County continue to invest in our community and work with us on the development of long-term projects that not only help our economic climate, but enhance our quality of life,” said County Manager, Jim Nichols. “We are very fortunate to have these businesses in our community and it was an honor to be able to recognize them at last night’s event.”

The following businesses received Spotlight Awards (South Shore businesses listed in bold):

• Retail Spotlight – Ace Hardware, received by Josh Peters
• Restaurant Spotlight – Minden Meat & Deli, received by Kevin Mary
• Manufacturing & Production Spotlight – Zephyr Photonics, received by Mike Hoag
• Sports & Recreation Spotlight – Carson Valley Golf Course, received by Tom & Manya Brooks
• Entrepreneur Spotlight – Park Heritage, received by Jon Park on behalf of David, Bruce, Stacey, Katie and Tonja Park.
• Business & Professional Service Spotlight — Design Workshop, received by Steve Noll & Stephanie Grigsby
• Tourism & Hospitality Spotlight – Heavenly Mountain Resort, received by Brandy Thomson

Each winner received an engraved lantern with glowing flameless candle symbolic of keeping the Economic Vitality torch lit in creating a “Community to Match the Scenery.”