Rob O’Keefe, president of St. Croix Economic Development Corporation (EDC), announced the EDC’s selection of Ciro, LLC (City of Hudson), SKYCOAT LLC (Village of Baldwin), and Aladtec, Inc. (City of River Falls) as recipients of the 2017 Business of the Year awards in St. Croix County, Wisconsin.

The EDC board of directors also named Dennis (Denny) Darnold as the recipient of the 2017 EDC Directors Award.

The companies and Mr. Darnold will be honored at a banquet on Thursday, February 22, 2018 at Kilkarney Hills in River Falls.

“The 2017 winners demonstrate unique attributes of St. Croix County businesses,” said EDC President Rob O’Keefe. “Ciro burst onto the motorcycle accessory scene at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in 2014 and hasn’t looked back. SKYCOAT made a big leap to permanent bricks and mortar in 2017, allowing the industrial coating business to grow. Aladtec is a go-to software scheduling company for public safety agencies throughout North America. Denny Darnold left his fingerprints on many, many projects in Hudson during his thirty plus years in community development, planning, and economic development.”

About the 2017 Winners
Ciro, LLC is the 2017 Emerging Business of the Year (based in St. Croix County and in business for five or fewer years). Ciro is a product design company founded in 2014 by Aero Rudd and a team of skilled designers. The company specializes in creating innovative and unique designs of aftermarket accessories for power sports enthusiasts. The company is well-regarded for its motorcycle accessories, especially the Harley-Davidson models. Ciro offers 200 elite products and the list continues to grow. The accessories add to rider comfort, style, and performance. Product examples include LED lighting, cams, exhaust, holders, and air intake. They are available online, through dealers, and major motorcycle events like Daytona Bike Week or the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Learn more at www.ciro3d.com.

SKYCOAT is 2017 Small Business of the Year (29 or fewer employees). SKY COAT was founded in 2012 by Patrick Traynor. The company provides industrial coating and finishing services to customers in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Midwest region. SKYCOAT uses the term ‘Industrial Armor’ to describe the durability of its processes. Industrial services offered by SKYCOAT include powder coating, E-coating, liquid painting, conversion painting, pad printing, and surface preparation, such as masking and media blasting. In 2017 SKYCOAT successfully transitioned from leased space in River Falls to a permanent facility in the Baldwin Industrial Park (Baldwin, Wisconsin) totaling almost 50,000 square feet. SKYCOAT is ISO 9001:2008 certified. Learn more at www.skycoat.com.

Aladtec, Inc. is the 2017 Business of the Year (30 or more employees). The company provides a subscription-based online employee scheduling and workforce management software system, also named Aladtec, to the public safety sector (EMS, fire, law enforcement, and dispatch). Users find internet software scheduling reduces human error, improves efficiencies, saves time, and saves money. Aladtec’s software system is now a powerful tool used by public safety agencies across North America. It was created in 2002 when business partners Leo Langlois and Dave Feyereisen were asked by an ambulance company in Ellsworth, Wisconsin to improve their employee scheduling process by moving it online. Both Langlois and Feyereisen, who were experienced builders of custom e-commerce websites, accepted the assignment. Within a few months, the system was active and received the name EMS Manager. Other public safety agencies soon asked for similar solutions. Between 2002 and 2005, Langlois and Feyereisen talked to literally hundreds of EMS directors. Almost every agency seemed to have a different employee scheduling process. Periodic changes were made and new customers were added. Langlois and Feyereisen continued developing the system and it grew to become a robust online software product supporting the complex 24/7 employee scheduling shift requirements found in public safety departments. In 2005, the online scheduling system was spun off into a new company called Aladtec, Incorporated. Since then, many new features have been added along with many thousand lines of new programming code. In mid-August 2017, Aladtec was ranked on the prestigious Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in the nation for the third year in a row. The company moved up 20 spots in 2017 to #2897. Only one in five businesses which appear on Inc.’s list achieve being on it three consecutive times. In early December 2017, Aladtec announced it surpassed 2,000 customers. Learn more at www.aladtec.com.

About Denny Darnold
Denny Darnold retired in mid-2017 from a long, successful career in planning and community development, primarily with the City of Hudson, Wisconsin in the capacity of community development director. His legacy includes a vibrant central business district, riverfront area, residential subdivisions, hospitality, and the St. Croix Business Park. The multi-use business park is home to many companies, large and small. Those businesses are from the Hudson area or were recruited from other areas. The city gained an expanded tax base and an array of jobs for area residents. Darnold was a tireless worker with the mayor’s office, common council, boards and commissions, chamber of commerce, and other local organizations.

Banquet Details
This is the 24th business awards program conducted by St. Croix EDC. The banquet is open to the public but reservations are required. Dinner tickets are priced at $38.00. Visit https://tinyurl.com/BusYearBanquet to RSVP or for more info.

About St. Croix EDC
The EDC was established in 1994 as a public-private business league that operates as the independent economic development arm of St. Croix County, Wisconsin. Reflective activities include marketing and communication, business retention, business expansion, business recruitment, new business incorporations, and advocacy on behalf of business and industry. Initiatives taken by St. Croix EDC help improve the business climate of St. Croix County, allowing businesses, large and small, to grow and prosper.

For more information, contact William Rubin or Nita Dusek at (715) 381-4383, or nita@stcroixedc.com.

St. Croix EDC is now accepting nominations for its 2017 Business of the Year awards program. Categories include:
Emerging Business of the Year (a start-up business that has operated in St. Croix County for five or fewer years)
Small Business of the Year (29 or fewer employees); and
Business of the Year (30 or more employees).

A nomination form and guidelines can be obtained by clicking HERE or by contacting Nita Dusek at (715) 381-4383 or nita@stcroixedc.com. The deadline to submit is Friday, December 15, 2017 at the close of business.

Individuals may nominate a company in any of the categories or a business may place their company’s name in nomination.

The winners will be announced in January and honored at a banquet on Thursday, February 22, 2018 at Kilkarney Hills in River Falls.

The 2016 winners were Oliphant Brewing Company (Village of Somerset), Emerging Business of the Year; Wisconsin Lighting (City of New Richmond), Small Business of the Year; and Croix Gear and Machining (City of Hudson), Business of the Year.

For more information, contact William Rubin or Nita Dusek at St. Croix EDC, (715) 381-4383 or bill@stcroixedc.com or nita@stcroixedc.com.

On February 16th, St. Croix EDC honored its 2016 business of the year winners at R&D Banquet Hall in New Richmond, Wisconsin. Pictured above are Agnes Ring, EDC President, Todd Loehr of Wisconsin Lighting (Small Business), Trevor Wirtanen and Matt Wallace of  Oliphant Brewing (Emerging Business), Matt Johnston and Ruthie Johnston of Croix Gear and Machining (Business of the Year), and 2016 Directors award winner Trudy Popenhagen.

St. Croix EDC conducted its 23rd annual Business of the Year on February 16. Bill Rubin, the EDC’s executive director, considers himself a fortunate guy, having assisted in 21 of the 23 banquets. He notes the acceptance speeches from the honorees can be moving, and attendees at the February 16th banquet witnessed four exceptional messages.

The partners at Oliphant Brewing, the Emerging Business of the Year, weren’t sure what a business plan contained, but worked with advisors like the Small Business Development Center. A micro loan was secured through the Regional Business Fund and Oliphant was launched.

Wisconsin Lighting, the 2016 Small Business of the Year, is prospering as a manufacturer, proving skeptics wrong that you don’t have move jobs overseas to succeed. Just days before the banquet, billionaire Mark Cuban suggested that manufacturing in the U.S. was dead. Wisconsin Lighting offers evidence to the contrary.

The owner-CEO of Croix Gear & Machining, the 2016 Business of the Year, was thrust into those roles in 2010 following the death of her husband. She surrounded herself with good business advisors including a general manager to oversee production. Croix Gear is thriving as evidenced by a major expansion in 2016 to commemorate its 50th year in Hudson.

Trudy Popenhagen is a very worthy recipient of the EDC Directors Award. Name an EDC or business organization in the St. Croix Valley and you’ll likely confirm Trudy’s leadership and lasting legacy. She served six years on St. Croix EDC’s board as well as a year as president.

Four honorees and four impactful messages. Multiply this over 23 years and it’s easy to see why many of the EDC’s core activities revolve around business retention, expansion, recruitment, and new business start-ups.

Agnes Ring, president of St. Croix Economic Development Corporation (EDC), announced the Business of the Year winners. Oliphant Brewing LLC (Village of Somerset), Wisconsin Lighting, Inc. (City of New Richmond), and Croix Gear and Machining (City of Hudson) are recipients of the 2016 Business of the Year awards in St. Croix County, Wisconsin.

The EDC board of directors also named Trudy Popenhagen as the recipient of the 2016 EDC Directors Award.

The companies and Ms. Popenhagen will be honored at a banquet on Thursday, February 16, 2017 at Ready Randy’s in New Richmond.

“The 2016 winners reflect all that is good about doing business in St. Croix County, Wisconsin,” said EDC President Agnes Ring.  “Oliphant is a start-up brewery with an edgy attitude and a destination taproom. Wisconsin Lighting has a stellar reputation as a manufacturer of distinctive lamps, lampshades, and decorative accessories. Croix Gear and Machining has a 50-year history in Hudson as an advanced manufacturer of close tolerance gears for national customers.  Trudy Popenhagen is a tireless supporter of economic development, tourism, and civic organizations. In all of St. Croix County it would be hard to find someone more engaged in enhancing our quality of life through her hands-on work with local organizations.

About the 2016 Winners

Oliphant Brewing is the 2016 Emerging Business of the Year (based in St. Croix County and in business for five or fewer years). The business was launched in 2012 by co-founders Trevor Wirtanen and Matthew Wallace. Oliphant is located in leased space at Main and Depot Streets in Somerset. The space includes the brewing operation, taproom, storage and warehouse, and cold room for the dozen or so alternating beers for the taproom patrons. The exterior of the brewery features two murals there were created by local artists. A chalkboard sign in the taproom describing the beer selections is also a work of art. Wirtanen and Wallace self-distribute their products to other parts of Wisconsin, and in late 2016, they gained regulatory approval to self-distribute into Minnesota. Oliphant’s 32-ounce cans, called crowlers, set their products apart from other breweries. Learn more at www.oliphantbrewing.

Wisconsin Lighting is the 2016 Small Business of the Year (29 or fewer employees). Wisconsin Lighting is a national manufacturer of lamps, lampshades, note cards, gift bags, candles, craft products, and decorative accessories, all from New Richmond, Wisconsin. The company specializes in supplying new, distinctive, and innovative products for department stores, the hospitality industry, craft retailers, lighting showrooms, furniture and accessory retailers, and catalog merchandisers. Wisconsin Lighting manufactures under several brands including Fenchel Lamp Shades, Nature’s Garden, and Hollywood Lights. New Richmond High School graduate Todd Loeher acquired Wisconsin Lighting when it was located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. In 2010, he relocated the business to New Richmond and operated it in leased space designated as a business incubator in the city’s downtown district. Having outgrown its space, Loehr then purchased the entire incubator building and successfully completed a major renovation of the exterior and interior. Energy efficient LED lighting systems help the company gain new markets and customers. Learn more at www.wilighting.

Croix Gear and Machining is the 2016 Business of the Year (30 or more employees). Croix Gear operates as a division of Marine Associates to better reflect the design and manufacture of gears for numerous business sectors across the U.S. In 2016, the owners celebrated their 50th year in Hudson, and in August, the company marked this special anniversary with a groundbreaking on a 23,000 square foot addition, bringing the total facility space to around 60,000 square feet. Since inception, the Johnston family has been involved in the ownership, starting with the late James T. Johnston who founded Marine Associates. Son Mark succeeded his father James, and when Mark died in 2010, his wife Ruthie was thrust into the role of company owner. Her son Matt is the current facility manager. Learn more at www.croixgear.com.

About Trudy Popenhagen

Trudy Popenhagen retired in 2015 from a long career at Xcel Energy where she served as a community service manager in the greater St. Croix Valley and western Wisconsin. While at Xcel Energy, she was active in numerous economic development organizations, including St. Croix EDC, Polk County EDC, Pierce County EDC and the Greater St. Croix Valley EDC Collaborative. Those roles included leading the boards as president and serving in other officer roles, on executive committees and various other committees within the organizations. She also took an active role with area chambers of commerce and tourism organizations and led the early years of the region’s Legislative Day events in Madison on behalf of the St. Croix Valley. In addition to her leadership in economic development, Trudy has been a long-time advocate and volunteer for numerous community and non-profit organizations that help support improving the quality of life in the St. Croix Valley. In retirement, she enjoys travelling with her husband Lloyd and spending time with her children and grandchildren. She is the first female recipient of the St. Croix EDC Directors Award.

Banquet Details

This is the 23rd business awards program for St. Croix EDC. The banquet is open to the public but reservations are required. Dinner tickets are priced at $38.00. For credit card payments, visit http://tinyurl.com/jd76uuu. To ask for an invoice, contact Nita at Nita@stcroixedc.com or call 715-381-4383. To pay by check, mail it to 1101 Carmichael Rd, Hudson, WI 54016. RSVP by Wednesday February 8, 2017.

The EDC was established in 1994 as a public-private business league that operates as the independent economic development arm of St. Croix County, Wisconsin. Reflective activities include marketing and communication, business retention, business expansion, business recruitment, new business incorporations, and advocacy on behalf of business and industry. Initiatives taken by St. Croix EDC help improve the business climate of St. Croix County, allowing businesses, large and small, to grow and prosper.

For more information, contact William Rubin or Nita Dusek at (715) 381-4383.

St. Croix EDC is now accepting nominations for its 2016 Business of the Year awards program. Categories include:

• Emerging Business of the Year (a start-up business that has operated in St. Croix County for five or fewer years)
• Small Business of the Year (29 or fewer employees)
• Business of the Year (30 or more employees)

The deadline to submit a nomination is Friday, December 16, 2016.
A nomination form and guidelines can be found HERE, by EMAIL, or by calling St. Croix EDC at (715) 381-4383.
Individuals may nominate a company in any of the categories or a business may place their company’s name in nomination.

The winners will be announced in January and will be honored at a banquet on Thursday, February 16, 2017, at Ready Randy’s in New Richmond, WI.

The 2015 winners were :

• Emerging Business of the Year: 65 Vines, LLC (Town of Kinnickinnic)
• Small Business of the Year: St. Croix Castings, Inc. (Village of Woodville)
• Business of the Year Phillips-Medisize Corporation (Hudson and New Richmond)

For more information, contact William Rubin or Nita Dusek at St.Croix EDC, (715)381-4383 or nita@stcroixedc.com or bill@stcroixedc.com.