Recognition and Awards for Area Businesses

Mike and Denise Busley, Grand Traverse Pie Company

Michigan Celebrates Small Business awards ceremony took place in Lansing on April 24, 2008. Northwest Michigan was well represented, with five businesses receiving awards that night.

The Edward Lowe Foundation recognizes excellent businesses in their growth stage. The Michigan 50 Companies to Watch celebrates the diversity, innovation and energy of these businesses from across the state. Three companies from Northwest Michigan were included in this category:

• Grand Traverse Pie Company (Owners Mike and Denise Busley)  http://www.gtpie.com/
• Food for Thought (Owners Timothy and Kathy Young)  http://www.foodforthought.net/
• BaaBaaZuZu (Owners Kevin and Sue Burns) http://www.baabaazuzu.com/

Food for Thought and BaaBaaZuZu are long-time clients of the Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center (a program of NWM Council of Governments) in Northwest Michigan.

Chris Wendel, SBTDC, and Higher Grounds Trading Company owners, Chris and Jody Treter

Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center recognizes one extraordinary business from each of their twelve regions across the state. Regional Director Chris Wendel nominated Higher Grounds Trading Company (Owners Chris and Jody Treter)  http://www.highergroundstrading.com/ as the top company from Northwest Michigan.

Click Here to open a new window to SBTDC.

Ed Kiessel, Armor Express, Todd Olson, PTAC, Matt Davis, CEO, Armor Express

The Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs) of Michigan also recognize an exceptional business from each of its 13 regions. One business is selected as the Government Contractor of the Year and honored at the state level. This year, that honor went to Armor Express of Central Lake. http://www.armorexpress.com/

Click Here to view Armor Express Video Vignette.
Click Here for PTAC information on this site.