Douglas County businesses win Spotlight Awards

For the fourth consecutive year, several Douglas County businesses were awarded a Spotlight Award. This year’s awards were given at the Critical Issues Conference held on Thursday, September 28, 2017. The Spotlight Awards recognized businesses in 7 different categories: Retail, Restaurant, Manufacturing and Production, Sports and Recreation, Entrepreneur, Business and Professional Service, Tourism and Hospitality and special recognition was given to the Business Council for their 25 years of dedicated service to Douglas County.

“In addition to celebrating the foundation and the future during this year’s 25th anniversary of the Business Council, we are always excited to award the businesses in our community who are outstanding community partners,” said County Manager, Larry Werner.

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

1. Are unique and marketable
2. Are involved in the community or business community
3. Are investing in their businesses
4. Have exhibited ability to partner with public and/or non-profit sector
5. Have developed or refined their business plans
6. Taking steps to provide employee training or growth opportunities

Selections were made based on staff knowledge and input from business community organizations such as the local Chambers of Commerce, the Main Street Programs, and the Business Council of Douglas County.

The following businesses received Spotlight Awards:

• Retail Spotlight-The Chocolate Shoppe
• Entrepreneur Spotlight- Sanchez Meats
• Manufacturing and Production Spotlight- Aspen Coffee
• Restaurant Spotlight -JT Basque Restaurant Bar and Dining Room
• Sports & Recreation Spotlight -Axelson Tactical
• Business & Professional Service Spotlight -Heritage Law Group, Cassandra Jones
• Tourism & Hospitality Spotlight -Edgewood Tahoe

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.” In addition a silver ribbon was attached to mark the symbolism of 25 years of service from the Business Council.