The Independence Council for Economic Development (ICED) hosted its third annual Impact Awards luncheon today at the Independence Events Center in Independence, Missouri. The awards were established in 2007 to honor companies that have created a minimum of 2 new jobs and/or $25,000 of new capital investment in the previous year. Twenty six Independence companies received the 2009 awards today. They were sponsored by Stewardship Capital and presented by Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders.
Keynote Speaker for the event was David Kerr, Director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED). Kerr came to DED from the Kansas Department of Commerce, where he served as Secretary of Commerce for two years. He spoke on the Department’s top priorities for business growth in Missouri.
“Recognizing the companies that have contributed to the success and growth of Independence is a priority particularly in these economic times” says Tom Lesnak, ICED President. “These are the companies that have defied the national news reports, stayed strong and contributed to the growth and strength of Independence.”
Award recipients included Advantage Mudjacking, ATK Small Caliber Systems, Better Service, Inc., Cargo Largo, Centerpoint Medical Center, Comprehensive Mental Health Services, Inc., Custom Engineering, Damage Control, Global Entertainment, Hathmore Technologies, HEMCO Corporation, Horizon Orthotic & Prosthetic Experience Inc. (HOPE), IBS Industries, Inc., KC Car Paint, Lake City Business Center, McBee Custom Homes, Inc., M&I Bank, MAST Technologies, Mid-Continent Public Library, Midwest Public Risk, Missouri Mavericks, Pride Machinery, Quality Inn & Suites, Straight Line Motorsports, Staybridge Suites and Western & Southern Life.
Other supporting sponsors for the luncheon included ATK Small Caliber Systems, Children’s Mercy Hospitals and Clinics, Corporate Copy Print, Forest City Land Group, Heartland Business Capital, The Examiner, Trudy Beard CPA PC, UMB Bank, Vibe Marketing Group and Presenting Sponsor: Jackson County.
