Market Van Buren has saluted businesses and other organizations around Van Buren and Cass counties with its third annual Awards Event. It was held June 29 at Marion Magnolia Farms in Cassopolis. Market Van Buren’s Zach Morris tells us they started the awards because the area previously had no such program. Midwest Energy and Communication in Cassopolis was named Community Champion of the Year.
“As you might know, they started the Smart Park in Cassopolis several years ago,” Morris aid. “This is something they didn’t have to do, but they said they wanted to advance the economy in the area, and lo and behold, it paid off.”
Morris says the Business Innovator of the Year is EQ United in Cassopolis, while the Economic Pioneer of the Year is CHT USA Incorporated in Cassopolis. Covert Township was named Municipal Trailblazer of the Year for its efforts to acquire grants to improve the community.
“Grants are things that are effort. You actually have to work to get them. You have to apply to get them. Once you get the money, you have to execute and report, and the township and supervisor have done a wonderful job apply for grants, awarding them.”
The Best New Business of the Year award was split three ways, between the Flat Rock Grill in Edwardsburg, the Holden Green Tavern in Cassopolis, and Creative Cove in Paw Paw. Morris says the awards this year reflect the enormous growth seen in Cass County recently.
