For the last thirty years, Howard County Business and Tourism has partnered with the Times Plain Dealer newspaper to present several awards to outstanding individuals from Howard County, IA. In addition to these special recognitions, the annual banquet hosts at least two guest speakers, one of which is an elected official from the state of Iowa, and the other a well-known individual(s) and leader in Howard County. Both of these awardees hold accolades in their respective fields of expertise and experience, and are selected for their dedication to community, small business, and rural development and sustainability.
This year, the banquet hosted Debi Durham, Director of both Iowa’s Economic Development Authority and the Iowa Finance Authority, and Howard County Sheriff Rick Busch. Rick brings decades of state and federal law enforcement experience to his position as Sheriff. Both presented insightful, informative, and inspiring presentations on their careers, importance of rural economic development, and what community involvement and investment looks like to them. Past speakers include former lieutenant governor (now governor) Kim Reynolds, Senator Joni Ernst, a former hospital CEO, and a school superintendent.
Additionally, Howard County Business and Tourism Director and CEDA VP of Iowa Jason Passmore introduced this year’s speakers and offered many thanks to those in attendance and who helped make the banquet a success. Community and Economic Development Associates’ CEO Ron Zeigler was also in attendance and spoke about rural economic development and the ongoing achievements, challenges, and efforts in NE Iowa and beyond. He noted that this year is CEDA’s 40th year in operation, a huge achievement for a small non-profit that started in SE Minnesota with the main objective of helping rural communities grow and thrive.
The “Hall of Fame” Awards presented each year are Citizen, Organization, and Educator of the Year, the latter being the most recent added to the Hall of Fame. These outstanding individuals are nominated by their peers and community members by way of letters submitted to the Times Plain Dealer. They are then selected by a committee, notified by a TPD staff member, and an article written about them and published in the paper prior to the awards ceremony. Even though for many years nominees were awarded (and surprised!) at the ceremony itself, the process was altered to allow for winners to know in advance so as to invite family and friends to be a part of the banquet and ceremony.
This year’s banquet accommodated and catered to over 100 attendees, speakers, and award winners. It was a night of community recognition and appreciation of hard work, dedication, service, as well as showcasing a positive impact for people who live and work in all the surrounding communities. As Howard County continues to shine in areas of community and economic development, its residents continue to go above and beyond in many ways that celebrate togetherness and comradery, all while supporting businesses, organizations, and the act of volunteerism.
