Nov. 14, 2024
VIROQUA, Wis. – The second annual Vernon County Awards banquet was a huge success for all who attended. Over 200 community members from across the region gathered to celebrate the reasons Vernon County is a great place to work, live, and play.
The night was filled with high spirits and celebration as the community came together to recognize the outstanding individuals, businesses, and organizations making a difference in our community. The winners of this year’s Vernon County Awards are:
· Small Business of the Year: Fine Lines Beauty & Boutique
· Large Business of the Year: Kickapoo Counseling
· Non-Profit of the Year: Vernon County Trauma Task Force
· Event of the Year: Coon Valley 175th
· Community Impact Award: Caron Malin
· Partnership for Progress: Habitat for Humanity of the Greater La Crosse Region & The City of Hillsboro
· Youth Leadership Award: Natalie Volden
· Resilience Award: Snowflake Ski Club
· Emerging Entrepreneur Award: Jovita’s Kitchen
· Heritage Preservation and Cultural Development Award: Driftless Region Día de Muertos Celebration
· People’s Choice Award: Nevi Fest
The eleven winners were presented with their awards by Larkin Breckel, Vernon County Economic Development and Marketing Coordinator and Steve Schulte, President of the Coon Valley Business Association and member of the planning committee. The tremendous contributions of all the nominees and the award winners to the community were celebrated by all those gathered.
In addition to the awards presentation, Breckel shared updates and exciting news from the Vernon County Development Department, which include a successful Vernon County Economic Development Loan Fund, a newly launched housing study for Vernon County, and the very well received Community Development Grant Program. Keynote speaker Tripp Hughes delivered remarks on the importance of community for businesses of all sizes, and
the key role the communities of Vernon County play in helping build resilience for Organic Valley.
“I am in awe of the many nominees and award winners we got to honor tonight,” said Breckel. “I love that Vernon County is a place where people feel empowered to do great things, creative things, and generous things. Getting to bring our community together to celebrate so many incredible people is a wonderful feeling.”
Breckel closed the ceremony by tasking the attendees to leave the event with one more personal connection than they came with, and to continue the wonderful work of building community, one person at time. “Whether it is volunteering for one of organizations you heard about tonight, reaching out to an established business for collaboration or mentorship, or just meeting for a coffee and a new friendship, each of these actions deepens our connections, our understanding and support of each other, and in doing so makes us a stronger, more resilient community long into the future.”
The Vernon County Awards will return in 2025. Until then, stay informed on all things Community and Economic Development by subscribing to the Vernon County Development Newsletter and by visiting the Vernon County Community Development page on the Vernon County website. The Vernon County housing survey can be found there as well, and we encourage all Vernon County residents to take the survey.
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