Polk County EDC 2024 Award Winners Recognized

POLK COUNTY — The Polk County Economic Development Corporation proudly hosted the 2024 Polk County Awards Breakfast on Thursday, October 17, 2024, at Big Rock Creek near St. Croix Falls. The Polk County EDC Awards Breakfast recognizes the economic and community contributions of local businesses and organizations to economic vitality.

Approximately 90 people attended the program including numerous representatives from various economic development organizations, the West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, Regional Business Fund, Northwood Technical College, Amery EDC, and Polk County.

Prior to the award presentations, Terry Hauer, Executive Director of the Polk County EDC, presented an overview of the organization, the initiatives it directs for greater economic impact, and highlighted the economic progress happening in Polk County. Although there are numerous new businesses and expansions currently underway, the Polk County EDC continues to engage and assist local employers with the workforce and housing shortage that is having a negative economic impact in Polk County and our regional economy.

Scott Hodek, Section Chief of the Office of Economic Advisors (OEA) an office within the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development was the guest speaker. Hodek provided an overview of the current economic landscape of Polk County and our region. Hodek also presented on what the future may hold for economic activity and trends.

AWARD WINNERS

Agricultural Excellence Award: Recognizing the impact of agriculture in Polk County and its importance to the local economy and job opportunities.

Winner: Cushing Cooperative

Cushing Cooperative was awarded the 2024 Agricultural Excellence Award for their continued growth and success in agronomy for Polk County and our surrounding regions. As the only full-service agricultural coop still serving this area, Cushing Coop provides a wide range of services and products important to our local agriculture community.

Receiving the 2024 Agricultural Excellence Award – (L to R) Tom Johnson, Cushing Coop and Brian Bertelson

Service Award: Recognizing excellent business performance along with providing significant contributions toward the betterment of the community and others.

Winner: St. Croix Pickleball

St Croix Pickleball and Recreational Sports Facility was awarded the Service Award due to the opening of their facility in St. Croix Falls that provides three pickleball courts along with a batting cage and gold simulator.

Opening in October of 2023, St Croix Pickleball has grown to over 1200 members who enjoy the facility. Future plans include building a new facility along highway 8 in St. Croix Falls along with indoor and outdoor space to include tennis, basketball and potentially other sports in the future.

CAPTION: (L to R) Pam and Dave Libertini, owners of St. Croix Pickleball, accept the 2024 Service Award.

New Business of The Year: Recognizing the contributions and success of a business or organization that has begun business in Polk County within the last two years.

Winner: Precision Stainless

Precision Stainless was awarded the New Business of the Year for starting operations at their new facility in Dresser, WI. Precision Stainless was founded in 2016, but opened a new manufacturing facility in Dresser in 2023. Today, they employ over 40 highly trained engineers, operators, and technicians that operate in their facilities in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Precision Stainless is considered an industry leader in custom fabrications, orbital welding and polishing.

CAPTION: Roger Keopple accepts the 2024 New Business of the Year Award

Business of the Year: Recognizing excellence in business performance along with its contribution to Polk County and its citizens.

Winner: Nobles Worldwide

Nobles Worldwide is a premier global provider of high-performance ammunition delivery and handling systems that supply aircraft, naval, land and sea platforms around the world.

Their innovative engineered solutions have helped the U.S. and its allies achieve mission success for more than 75 years. Supporting over 50 different weapon systems in 50 countries, Nobles’ broad reach and expertise sets them apart from their competition.

Nobles Worldwide offers a range of ammunition handling and delivery systems supporting the full spectrum of small and medium caliber weapons. In addition to customized full system solutions, for small and medium caliber weapon stations and medium caliber turrets, Nobles offers flexible and rigid ammunition feed chutes, flexible and rigid link eject chutes, ammunition storage magazines, custom gun mounts, and design, testing and integration support.