Awards & Recognitions

Special Recognition Award:

• INGMIRE-PHILLIPS INSURANCE
• FORT MORGAN AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
• BOARD OF MORGAN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
• ANDY ANDERSON, FORMER COUNTY COMMISSIONER

S.A.G.E. Award: WAYNE JOHNSON
·  Support   ·  Assistance  ·  Generosity  ·  Encouragement

Large Business of the Year: DAIRY FARMERS OF AMERICS

• $20 million expansions
• 45 employees and adding more

Small Business of the Year:
GRAHAM'S UPHOLSTERY AND CARPET CLEANING

• 2nd expansion in recent years
• Serves all of northeastern Colorado
• New office built in 2004

IMPRESSIONS by BIRD

• Expanded this past year
• Provides leadership within the Fort Morgan Downtown Business Association

Investor of the Year: ALVIN SCHRUM, COUNTRY STEAK-OUT

• Hosts many business meetings
• Involved in many community projects
• Provides friendly environment
• Supports the efforts of MCEDC

Partnership Award: FORT MORGAN WORKFORCE CENTER

• Brought 1,500 students to career fair at Fort Morgan High School
• Promotes job opportunities in Morgan County

Awards Presented for 2007
Best Places Regional Top 20 List: MORGAN COUNTY RANKS # 16

West Region: Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Montana, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and Hawaii

Progressive Farmer Magazine Highlights Rural Counties based on certain criteria: home and land prices, crime rates, environment, education, economic factors, access to healthcare and others. Also, based on editorial opinion of magazine staff that traveled the counties. More info

Special Recognition Award: SANDS THEATRE

• Existing building built in 1916
• Business in operation for 50 years by one owner
• Designated on the Colorado Historical Register in 2005
• Only Morgan County business designated on the Colorado Historical Register
• Community and youth supporters

Special Recognition Award: DIGGERS DINER

• Strong local marketing campaign
• Received Best Independent Restaurant Association Award
• 3 years of winning Platinum Plate Award
• Promote tourism and economic development in their service business
• Progressive-minded
• Community and youth supporters

Special Appreciation Award: DR. MERLE RHOADES

S.A.G.E. Award: JON BECKER
·  Support   ·  Assistance  ·  Generosity  ·  Encouragement

Investor of the Year: TOWN OF WIGGINS

• Supports the efforts of Morgan County Economic Development
• Cooperative attitude
• Create a business-friendly environment
• Not afraid to compete with larger cities
• Progressive-minded
• Host to our state governor in 2007

Small Business of the Year: GRAFF'S TURF FARMS

• Primary employer
• Family owned and operated since 1979
• New office built in 2004
• Product is "grown" here but sold nationally
• 400+ acres
• Strong marketing presence in the industry
• Community supporters
• James Graff named SBA's Young Entrepreneur of the Year

Large Business of the Year:
     BADGER CREEK FARMS/QUAIL RIDGE DAIRY

• Primary employer
• Added 20+ jobs in Morgan County for 2007
• Large capital investment in Morgan County
• Industry leaders in the county, state and nation
• Go above and beyond in promoting economic development in Morgan County
• Technology driven sites: state of the art
• Community supporters