Women-Owned Business Achievement Award
The Woman owned Business Achievement Award is a way for us to honor the women in our community that have attained outstanding business achievement and exemplifies the significant contributions made by women-owned businesses. There were many outstanding nominations in this category the past two years, and we wish we could award to all but one significantly stood out this year.
Stephanie is an active member of the Lake Region area. She is a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and serves as Trustee. She is a member of the Devils Lake Kiwanis. She also serves on the North Dakota Funeral Directors Board as the President for the year 2008-2009. She is also a board member for North Central Housing in the lake region. Gilbertson's has maintained the highest tradition of funeral service and modern, comfortable accessible facilities. The Gilbertson Funeral Home family continues to serve those in need with dignity, care and compassion and to always provide affordable, quality services to the Lake Region area.
We would like to honor Stephanie Armstrong with this year’s woman owned business achievement award.
Excellence in Small Business Award
The Excellence in Small Business Award is given to a business that shows exemplary service in the community.
It is more than just a goal; it's a way of life. The best businesses are constantly seeking new opportunities and solutions. This business recognizes that customer satisfaction is not just a slogan. They go to great lengths to ensure their customers get the products they are envisioning. Their creativity knows no bounds, constantly innovating and adapting to stay ahead of the curve. Passion and motivation drive their team to go above and beyond, setting a high standard for dedication. This business singularly changed the look of downtown Devils Lake, staying true to their customers’ wishes. Product and service knowledge sets them apart as experts in their field, earning trust and credibility. Big or small, signs, cups or coolers, they are all a work of art.
We are excited to present the Excellence in Small Business Award to Mandy Thomas with Xtreme Signs and Graphix.
Longest Standing Chamber Member of the Year
The Long Standing Chamber Member of the Year Award is given to a member business that has been a Chamber member for 25-50 years, and has made outstanding contributions to the Chamber and local community.
Leevers Foods won the Chamber Member of the Year award in 2017 but their contributions to the community haven’t slowed down, and showed by the submissions again this year.
They continue to be a major advocate and contributor to the community of Devils Lake. Through their generous support many improvements have developed around the lake region. They were major contributors for the Leevers Welcome Center at Lake Region State College. They have set up several endowment funds at the college as well.
Leevers Foods also were instrumental in providing DLPS with 300 ipads and they were a major contributor to the St. Joseph School project. Whenever there is community functions/events, you always can count on seeing Leevers Foods as a sponsor.
Most recently Leevers is contributing to make the Dockside Entertainment Center a reality, which for the first time will provide the people of Devils Lake with indoor recreation for our harsh winter months. There have been other contributions to the park which are making major improvements to facilities. Many of their contributions are helping improve the quality of life in our community.
We would like to present this year’s Long Standing Chamber Member of the Year award to Leevers Foods.
New Chamber Business of the Year Award
This award is given to a member business that has been in business at least one year and no more than two years, and has made outstanding contributions to the Chamber and local community.
Grand Harbor Meats was founded in Devils Lake, ND by Tanner Elshaug who is a first-generation farmer and rancher in the Lake Region, raising crops and livestock for a number of years. The storefront opened its doors in April 2022 and is run by Tanner's wife, Niki. They take great pride in having the opportunity to share quality meats within the state of North Dakota and beyond.
Grand Harbor Meats raises, sources, and finishes top-quality beef, bison, and pork. In addition to having a significant variety of retail cuts available in store, they also offer whole, half, & quarter bulk beef options.
They are a great addition to the Lake Region, have been a great partner of the Devils Lake Chamber of Commerce and we are excited to award them with the 2023 New Chamber Business of the Year Award.
Chamber Member of the Year
Every year we award a special person or business the Chamber Member of the Year Award for not only their service to the community, but to their service and generosity to the Devils Lake Area Chamber of Commerce as well. This year’s recipient had multiple nominations in several of the categories.
They have enthusiastically promoted community projects, events, festivals, and happenings and done exceedingly well. They are also extensively involved in service and civic organizations in the community and upholds the mission of the Chamber by promoting and enhancing the quality of life for residents of the Devils Lake Area through involvement in programs and activities focusing on commercial, industrial, agricultural, educational, and civic developments.
They have also been a pivotal part of broadcasting our communities’ live sports as well as broadcasting up to date news on a daily basis.
If we could add a side note from the Chamber of Commerce board of directors and staff; as things transpired this summer with closures in our motor vehicle department, the radio announcers didn’t hesitate to repeatedly push out the information to the public of closure and open times.
I would like to present this year’s Chamber Member of the Year Award to LR Radioworks.