Progress Lakeshore held its 14th Annual Excellence in Economic Development Awards Breakfast and celebrated the people, projects, and partnerships driving growth in Manitowoc County.
Awards were given to those who made a strong impact over the past year through job creation, innovation, and community support.
The following five awards were presented:
The Corporate Investment Award was presented to a business that has made a positive economic impact on the community through capital investment, has developed product innovation, and has gone above and beyond to enhance its workforce. Manitowoc Public Utilities earned the Corporate Investment Award for its conversion of two power plant boilers from fossil fuels to Wisconsin-recognized renewable fuel pellets. This low-capital project extends the life of a vital community asset, preserves over 30 skilled jobs, maintains a $2 million annual PILOT payment to the city, and strengthens grid resiliency. It also supports local industries and diverts 18,000 tons of industrial waste from landfills each month, creating a first-of-its- kind, cost-effective renewable energy model in Wisconsin. Honorable Mention was presented to Braun Building Center.
The Entrepreneurial Achievement Award honors individuals or emerging small businesses that have successfully transformed their ideas, products, or services into viable and competitive ventures . The Nook received the Entrepreneurial Achievement Award for introducing the area’s first mocktail lounge, which also operates as a coffee shop and bookstore, The Nook provides an alcohol-free environment that promotes connection and creativity. It has created part-time jobs, fostered a sense of belonging, and hosted a variety of events, including book clubs and open mic nights for people of all ages. Honorable Mentions in this category were awarded to Little Sips Pay Cafe and Real Aesthetics & Wellness.
The Neighborhood Development Award recognizes innovative real estate development or re-use projects purposely built or adaptively reused to enhance the community. Lakeshore College earned the Neighborhood Development Award. In August 2024, the college opened a new 37,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility that doubled its capacity to train up to 1,500 students annually in high-demand fields such as nursing, emergency medical services , and radiography. An Honorable Mention in this category was awarded to Yard 65 Brewery and Events.
The Community Enhancement Award was presented to Ascend Services, Inc. This award honors those who create projects and initiatives to make the county a more attractive place to live and work. Ascend earned this award for its dedication to empowering individuals with disabilities and strengthening the Manitowoc County community. In 2024, Ascend contributed nearly 1,300 volunteer hours to local organizations. Honorable Mentions in this category were awarded to The Haven of Manitowoc County and PetSkull Brewing Company.
The Economic Accelerator of the Year Award was presented to Adam Tegen. This award recognizes an individual or organization that has played a key leadership role in economic development, workforce development, entrepreneurship, community collaboration, and/or business retention and expansion. As Community Development Director for the city of Manitowoc, Tegen has spearheaded major projects like the $12 million revitalization of the River Point District and over $50 million in new development at the I-43 Industrial Park. His work also includes driving plans for key redevelopment sites to address housing needs and securing millions in public and private funding to support local businesses and community initiatives. Honorable Mention in this category was presented to the Small Business Development Center at UW Green Bay.
To learn more about this year’s winners, honorable mentions, and nominees, visit: https://www.progresslakeshore.org/events/breakfast/2025-awards-breakfast-program/
