EDC recognizes county businesses

• SCEDC Award winners

The St. Croix County EDC 2011 Business of the Year winners left to right Angel and Shannon Zimmerman, Sajan, Inc., for business of the year; John Vrieze and Steve Meyer, Future Farm Food and Fuel for emerging business of the year; Angela Popenhagen and Scott Ward, Stevens Engineers for small business of the year -- all standing with St. Croix EDC president Ryan Sicard. Submitted photo

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The St. Croix Economic Development Corporation honored three businesses at its Feb. 16 banquet with “of the year” awards.

EDC members named Future Farm Food and Fuel, LLC, of rural Baldwin as the emerging business; Sajan, Inc., of River Falls as business; and Stevens Engineers, Inc., of Hudson as small business of the year.

Future Farm Food and Fuel (www.afuturefarm.com) was established by John Vrieze and Steve Meyer. Waste streams from adjacent farms and other operations are converted to fuel to warm a state-of-the-art aquaponic and hydroponic greenhouse. Their system produces all natural vegetables, herbs, and fish.

Sajan, Inc. (www.sajan.com) was founded in 1997 by Shannon Zimmerman and his wife and business partner Angel Zimmerman. The company is the leading global provider of cloud-based translation services and software to customers selling their products into international markets. Headquartered in River Falls, Sajan serves its clients with other offices in the U.S., Europe, Asia, and India. Industries served include life science, software, e-commerce, manufacturing, legal, and travel, hospitality, and leisure.

Stevens Engineers (www.stevensengineers.com) has provided engineering and planning services to public and private sector clients since 1973. Partners Angela Popenhagen and Scott Ward acquired the company from the previous owner in February 2007. Popenhagen is a LEED Accredited Professional and her majority interest in the company provides Stevens Engineers with a Women’s business enterprise designation. Ward has a national reputation in planning, consulting, and designing ice rinks. Recent projects include the Phoenix Coyotes training center (Scottsdale, AZ); the Ice Skating Center (Pasadena, CA); and Division 1 college facilities such as the Amsoil Arena (Duluth, MN); the Sanford Center (Bemidji, MN); and the Kohl Center expansion (Madison, WI).

SCEDC president Ryan Sicard served as the evening’s emcee. Each of the winners received a plaque from the EDC as well as a Legislative Citation from Madison and congratulatory letters from U.S. Rep. Ron Kind, U.S. Senators Herb Kohl and Ron Johnson, and County Board Chair Daryl Standafer.

Previous winners from 1994-2010 were introduced during the program. Certificates were presented to EDC members in appreciation of their financial support over the last 10 consecutive years.

Entertainment was provided by comedian Dick Jonckowski, the longtime public address announcer for men’s basketball games at the University of Minnesota.

Multiple sponsors supported the 18th annual awards banquet, which was attended by about 160 guests.

For additional information, contact William Rubin or Jacki Bradham at St. Croix EDC (715) 381-4383. Learn more about the St. Croix County EDC at its website: www.stcroixedc.com.