Ankeny Businesses Recognize Success of Their Peers

On Oct. 9, the Ankeny business community gathered to recognize new and expanding businesses, private and public partnerships and people of vision at the annual Salute to Industry event.  Over 135 attended the event held in the new Sysco Iowa, Inc. administration and test kitchen facility.

Those recognized for Commercial Investment were New Horizon Cuisine, QA Graphics, and Vintage Hills at Prairie Trail.

CJM Financial Inc., Perishable Distributors of Iowa, LTD, Sysco Iowa, Inc., and The Lauridsen Group Inc. were all recognized for significant business expansions receiving the Commercial Reinvestment Award.

The record number of awards presented this year says a lot about the growing Ankeny business community,” said Amanda Weathers, Salute to Industry Committee chair and secretary/treasurer of Ankeny Economic Development Corporation.  “The investments these firms are making in Ankeny show that Ankeny is not only a great place to live but a great place to do business.”

The Public/Private Partnership Award went to John Deere Des Moines Works and Des Moines Area Community College for their collaboration and creative approach to curriculum development for quick-start employee training.  Together they were able to get a large number of employees trained and productive in a short period of time.    

Polk County Supervisor E.J. Giovannetti was honored with the Person of Vision award for his vision and support of many community and infrastructure projects over his many years of service.  Mark Giovannetti accepted the award on behalf of his father who was unable to attend.

Check out more photos of the event here.

Ankeny Economic Development Corporation is funded and governed by 63 member businesses who share a common mission to grow the business and industry community in Ankeny.  This mission is achieved through collaboration with city leadership, commercial developers and local business leaders.

For more information about Ankeny Economic Development Corporation or the Salute to Industry Awards contact Joey Beech at jbeech@ankeny.org or call 515-964-0747.