WILLMAR -- The Kandiyohi County and City of Willmar Economic Development Commission is seeking nominees for its entrepreneur awards.
The two awards will be presented at the EDC's appreciation and awards reception on May 11 at the Willmar Conference Center.
Candidates are being sought for the Wilt Croonquist Emerging Entrepreneur Award and the Earl B. Olson Entrepreneurial Spirit Award.
The Emerging Entrepreneur Award is named for Wilt Croonquist, the first full-time director of countywide economic development. The award is for an entrepreneur who has been in business for three years or less and can demonstrate company growth, quality improvement, employee retention and overcoming of obstacles. Nominees also should have a track record of community service and business recognition or awards.
The Earl B. Olson Entrepreneurial Spirit Award was established in 1995 to honor Kandiyohi County business owners who show the same entrepreneurial spirit exhibited by Olson, the founder of Jennie-O Foods.
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Olson's business started in 1941. By 1948 he had earned enough to make a down payment on a turkey processing plant in Willmar. Jennie-O Foods was sold in 1989 to Hormel. Today, Jennie-O Turkey Store markets its products in 50 states and more than two dozen countries overseas.
Among the criteria for choosing the winner of the Earl B. Olson Entrepreneurial Spirit Award are number of years in business, obstacles overcome, business recognition and awards, community service, employee retention, company growth and quality improvement.
For more information on either award or for nomination forms, call the EDC office at (320) 235-7370 or visit the EDC Web site at www.kandiyohi.com .
Nominations should be submitted on or before April 25 to the Economic Development Commission, Box 1783, Willmar, MN 56201 or faxed to (320) 231-2320.
