Franklin business leaders, area commercial real estate professions, and business service providers gathered with the Franklin Economic Development Commission (EDC), Common Council, and City staff to show appreciation for and celebrate the successes of the Franklin business community in 2021. More than 120 guests gathered at Tuckaway Country Club on October 14th, 2021 to network; learn from keynote speaker Missy Hughes, Secretary and CEO of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation; and for the presentation of awards for the 2021 Excellence in Business winners.
Dash Medical Gloves was awarded the Excellence in Large Business award with Lubrizol, Carma Labs, S&C Electric, and Hermle USA, Inc. receiving nominations.
Victory Creek Accounting was awarded the Excellence in Small Business award with Castleman & Son’s Plumbing, Inc. and Harry’s Ace Hardware and Rental receiving nominations.
With hundreds of new businesses locating in Franklin over the last three years, the EDC created a new award for Excellence in New Business. The winner of this award was Habitat for Humanity ReStore with nominations going to Askren Wrestling Academy, Sweet Basil, Havana Café, Honey Butter Café, and Wheel & Sprocket.
The Excellence in Leadership award went to Tom Schulz of Krones, Inc, with nominations going to the Doctors of the MOSH (Midwest Orthopedic Specialty Hospital) at the MOSH Performance Center at Ballpark Commons, Doug Milinovich with First Weber Realtors, and Mike Zimmerman with ROC Ventures.
“Franklin is proud of our business community and pleased we are able to bring so many business leaders and community stakeholders together for an evening to recognize the businesses who provide goods and services, and the makers who produce products here in Franklin,” said Mayor Steve Olson. “It is an honor to come together and recognize their successes and the continuing contributions they make to the success of the City as a whole.”
“Franklin is fortunate to not only have a strong and stable business community but also businesses who understand and support the recognition of the business community’s contributions through their sponsorship of the event,” said Calli Berg, CEcD, EDFP, Franklin’s Director of Economic Development. Bear Real Estate Group sponsored the hors D’oeuvres reception; Krones, Inc. sponsored the dessert & coffee bar; Partner sponsors were the Root River Center/Swagger Sports Bar & Grill and Giuffre Bros.; and Supporting sponsors were Cloverleaf (The Shoppes at Wyndham Village), Carma Labs, Walbec Group (Payne & Dolan), and Hermle USA Inc.
The Economic Development Commission is already planning next year’s event and will soon be announcing the 2022 date for some time in October. Franklin nominations for Excellence in Business awards are welcomed any time via email to cberg@franklinwi.gov and winners will be selected by the EDC in September of 2022.
