News Bulletin: Jan. 22 – 29

WHAT HAPPENED

• The Door County Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors is soliciting nominations for the annual Door County Industry of the Year Award and the Door County Entrepreneur of the Year Award. The awards celebrate businesses that help to create a positive business climate in Door County. The award winners will be announced at the Annual Meeting of the Door County Economic Development Corporation this spring. The date for the annual meeting will be announced shortly. The Industry of the Year award recognizes a construction, service or manufacturing business that has made a substantial impact on the community and enjoyed significant accomplishments during the past year. Last year’s award winner was the Jim Olson Automotive Group. Other recent winners of the Industry of the Year Award include Hatco Corporation and Renard’s Cheese Store. The Entrepreneur of the Year Award – last year given to the Lautenbach Family, owners of Orchard Country Winery and Market in Fish Creek – celebrates those individuals who have taken the initiative to start and grow a successful small business in Door County. Eligible businesses include those with fewer than 50 employees that exhibit recent growth and future potential through job creation, innovation and/or investment in the business, have at least three years of successful business experience and demonstrated civic and community involvement. Any Door County resident or business can nominate a business or entrepreneur by contacting DCEDC. Self-nominations are also encouraged. Nomination forms are available from DCEDC or on the website: doorcountybusiness.com. Nominations are due to DCEDC by Friday, Feb. 26, 2016.

• The Door County Sheriff’s Department reported that it recently received four calls in regard to a variety of scams. Some callers are claiming to be with the Internal Revenue Service, saying the person being called can avoid criminal prosecution by paying a fine over the phone. The Door County Sheriff’s Office is reminding citizens not to give out personal or account information over the phone.

COMING UP

• The Southern Door County School District is seeking qualified nominees for its 2016 Alumni Hall of Fame. Nominees must be a former student who graduated thirty or more years ago from Southern Door. Nominees should have distinguished themselves in their career and community and made significant contributions at the local, state or national level. Applications are due on or before Jan. 29, 2016. Forms are available from the district office or can be downloaded from the school website at southerndoor.k12.wi.us/district/alumni-hall-of-fame. The website also includes information about previous honorees. A school celebration of selected honorees will be held in May.

• The Door County Economic Development Corporation and the Wisconsin Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at UW-Green Bay will offer free, one-on-one business counseling sessions on Thursday, Feb. 4, 8:30 am to 5 pm, for any new or existing business owners in Door County. Chuck Brys, business counselor for the SBDC, will provide advice on business planning, financing and other issues. Brys is a CPA and former chief financial officer for several Wisconsin companies, with more than 30 years of business experience and knowledge to share with local entrepreneurs. Individual, confidential sessions will be held at the Door County Business Development Center, 185 E. Walnut St., Sturgeon Bay. An appointment is required and can be made by contacting Cindy Wick at 920.743.3113 x 200 or cindy@ doorcountybusiness.com.