Douglas County honors four businesses with Spotlight Award for service during pandemic

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. - Four businesses were recognized in Douglas County today for their community spirit and extra efforts during the pandemic.

This was the eighth year businesses were awarded with Spotlight Awards. Instead of the normal seven industry categories, this year businesses were honored for doing "something outstanding" during COVID-19.

This year’s awards were announced at the hybrid Critical Issues Conference held on September 30, 2021.

In light of the pandemic, Douglas County officials thought it best to pause traditional awards in 2020 which usually recognize businesses in seven industry categories and instead honor businesses that had done something outstanding during COVID-19. This year the new award set-up continued.

The Spotlight Award required winners to remain viable during the pandemic closures, adapt to changing conditions and above all give back to the community and/or public sector.

This year's winners of the Douglas County Community Spirit Business Spotlight Awards:

• Anytime Fitness - Gardnerville

• Big Daddy’s Bike, Ski & Brew

• CoCoMoes

• Lucky Beaver Bar & Burger

“For businesses, this past year can certainly be described as ever-changing and uncertain, but even during these pandemic times, it remained important to Spotlight our local businesses that continue to strengthen the community, each in their own unique way,” said Douglas County Economic Vitality Manager, Lisa Granahan. “The fact that so many people stepped-up to provide for the community, as exemplified by these four, reflects the values our local businesses hold. The Spotlight Awards are a way for the County to shed light on those select businesses who fostered togetherness, resourcefulness, and formed a path forward by giving back. We want to take this time to acknowledge how our winners positively impact Douglas County, and say thank you for all they do.”

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

The selection process for this year’s award remained the same as previous years. Recommendations were made based on input from business community organizations such as the local Chambers of Commerce, Main Street Gardnerville, the Nevada Small Business Development Center, and the Business Council of Douglas County.

Pictured: Big Daddy’s Bike, Ski & Brew Kevin Hart, Lucky Beaver Bar & Burger Tiffany Sargent, Anytime Fitness – Gardnerville Mario Lobatos, CoCoMoes Ben and Amber Larimer