Two local businesses and two industry leaders were honored Thursday, Feb. 2, at the Portage County Business Council’s annual awards dinner at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Convention Center in Stevens Point, with a record crowd of nearly 400 people.

Each year Business Council members, guests and dignitaries gather to celebrate the best of the best in volunteers, businesses, education, government and nonprofit organizations. The annual dinner is a celebration of past accomplishments, and it is an opportunity to recognize the achievements of the past year.

Chosen for his dedication to community outreach and participation in activities that promote the mission of the Portage County Business Council, Dan Blumenstein, director of client support of Rack Industrial, was selected for the Ambassador of the Year.

Blumenstein’s enthusiasm and dedication towards volunteering for the Business Council is outstanding, said Karen Schanock, PCBC director of programs and events. Blumenstein volunteers during the year by attending business events such as ribbon cuttings, grand openings, Business After Hours, visits to new and existing businesses and monthly meetings.

Bev’s Floral & Gifts, Stevens Point, was selected for the Small Business of the Year Award for its growth, strength in employer/employee relations, efforts to adapt to market changes, commitment to community service and industry leadership.

The business has experienced 150-percent growth since owning the business in 2001, which can be attributed to community support, an ongoing goal to provide exceptional levels of customer service and retention of great staff.

The Business Council selected Heartland Farms for its Decree of Excellence Award based on the company’s contributions to the area’s economic vitality, increase in local employment base and significant contributions in community service.

In 2016, they invested more than $24 million in new infrastructure to help ensure it continues to be a leader in the potato industry. The investment included a $7.5 million Farm Operations Technology and Training Center which is the hub for new growth of the company, employees and the community.

“Heartland Farms will serve as the solid anchor of this community for years to come. We look forward to seeing what is next,” Schanock said.

Lorraine Avery, recent retiree and former senior vice president of Associated Bank, was selected for the President’s Award for her dedication to the PCBC, the PCBC Foundation and her economic development efforts for the community.

“Lorraine Avery is a pillar of our community. She has been involved in many charitable endeavors and spent countless hours volunteering her time to better Portage County. It was an honor for us to provide her with this award, and we are all extremely fortunate to have her in our community,” said Todd Kuckkahn, PCBC executive director.