EDAWN establishes new award for existing primary employers

Nominations are open for the inaugural Existing Industry Awards hosted by the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada.

The awards recognize primary employers, companies with the majority of their customers outside the region, that are doing business in Northern Nevada.

Nominations for the "Company of the Year" award and other honoree categories are due by 5 p.m. Sept. 14.

The Existing Industry Awards serve to recognize primary companies in Greater Reno-Sparks-Tahoe which have made valuable contributions to the community through business growth and expansion -adding high-quality jobs or increasing capital expenditure, said Mike Kazmierski, president and chief executive officer of EDAWN.

The awards, which will be given to one small company (50 employees or fewer) and one large company (51 employees or more) in every category, also identify companies going above and beyond to "Think Local," reduce carbon footprint and place high priority on corporate citizenship.

Nominations will be accepted from individuals, companies, community partners and an EDAWN partner nominating committee. Companies eligible for nomination are primary employers doing business in Washoe County, Storey County or Fernley.

The "Company of the Year" must fall into one of EDAWN's target industries: aerospace, aviation and defense; back office and business support; clean energy and geothermal; distribution and logistics; financial and intangible assets; eCommerce fulfillment; manufacturing; and headquarters operations in any industry.

A nomination form, complete awards criteria and more information on the awards process is available at www.EDAWN.org. Winning companies can expect notification by Sept. 26.

The awards ceremony is set for 5 p.m. Oct. 11, at the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino.

The cost for the event is $20 for EDAWN investors and $25 for non-investors. Attendees can register in advance on the EDAWN website at www.edawn.org/about-edawn/events.