Cook County News Herald

Nominations due for Labovitz business awards




Celebrate entrepreneurial leadership and success in the Twin Ports and Minnesota’s Northeast Region by recognizing entrepreneurs who have followed their dreams and taken risks to forge ahead meeting the challenges of today’s economic reality.

In its 23rd year of celebrating entrepreneurial excellence, the UMD Center for Economic Development has issued the call for nominations. A business may be nominated by a customer, client, employee, vendor or any individual who wants to recognize a business owner. Nominations are sought from throughout the region including Minnesota’s Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, and St. Louis counties, and Douglas County, Wisconsin. Nominations are due Feb. 28.

“Nominate a deserving business. This is an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments and recognize those individuals who have taken risks that have created an economic impact and employment opportunities in our region,” said Elaine Hansen, director of the UMD Center for Economic Development.

Award recipients will be announced April 22 at the 23rd Annual Joel Labovitz Entrepreneurial Success Awards luncheon, the regional celebration of The U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) “Small Business Week.”

Cook County businesses that have received Labovitz Entrepreneur Awards in the past are Trail Center Lodge, owned by Sarah Hamilton, which received the award in the “gazelle/enterprise” category in 2003; and Dockside Fish Market, owned by Harley and Shelé Toftey, who won the award in the “established entrepreneur” category in 2010.

Forty-two Minnesota businesses in five different categories accepted nominations last year. For more information or to nominate a business/ entrepreneur go to umdced.com or call (218) 726-7298.



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