Marion County businesses receive KDOC merit awards.

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Wednesday, 06 June 2007 07:59

Courtesy photos<p>The Kansas Department of Commerce gave merit awards to six Marion County businesses at its annual Kansas Business Appreciation Month South Central Regional Awards ceremony Friday in Wichita, including Flinthills Junction of Burns (left) and Peabody Market (right), both in the retail category. They were among 270 companies nominated for BAM awards this year.

Forty-eight south central Kansas businesses were recognized Friday for their contributions to their communities and the state economy at the Kansas Department of Commerce’s annual Kansas Business Appreciation Month South Central Regional Awards ceremony in Wichita.

Six businesses from Marion County received merit awards. 

Receiving awards in the service category were Ag Service, Inc., Hillsboro ; Kansas Publishing Ventures LLC (aka Hillsboro Free Press), Hillsboro; Soda Pop Hairshop, Burns.

Receiving awards in the retail category were Flinthills Junction, Burns; Peabody Market, Peabody; Wilbur’s Market, Florence.

Friday’s event in Wichita was the first of seven regional events to be held throughout June. At each ceremony, one company in each of three categories—manufacturing/distribution, service and retail—is awarded a Business Excellence Award, with remaining companies given either a Business Achievement Award or a Merit Award.

This year, 270 companies were nominated for BAM Awards. A panel of judges from the business community selected one Business Excellence Award winner and recognized Business Achievement and Merit winners in each category for all seven regions of the state. 

The judges then selected five finalists for the Governor’s Award of Excellence, the top award given to a business by the State, which will be presented at the Kansas Cavalry Encampment in Junction City on June 27. 

“We are thrilled to visit Wichita and recognize the south central Kansas businesses that make this state strong,” said Commerce Secretary David Kerr.

“By designating June as Business Appreciation Month, we foster a year-long appreciation for the crucial role our Kansas businesses play in the state’s prosperity and quality of life.”