The Kansas Department of Commerce announced nominations for the 2024 ‘To the Stars: Kansas Business Award’ are now open.
Awards for the 2024 event will honor Kansas businesses in nine categories, which include:
- AgriBusiness | Companies that stand out in the production, processing, and distribution of farm-based goods.
- Apprenticeship Champions and Partners | Companies that excel providing registered apprenticeship programs in Kansas
- Business Innovation | Companies from any sector incorporating innovative technologies
- Healthcare/Nonprofit | Noteworthy services provided by either healthcare facilities or nonprofit organizations
- Manufacturing/Distribution | Outstanding achievement for companies of all sizes
- Non-Traditional Talent Pools | Companies that have gone above and beyond to hire
- Retail/Service | Exceptional performance by businesses selling goods, products and/or services
- Under 30 Entrepreneurs | Entrepreneurs under 30 who are achieving business success
- Welcome Back | Entrepreneurs and businesspeople who once left Kansas but have returned to make their mark in the Sunflower State
One business/individual will walk away as a statewide winner in each category, while others will be named merit award winners, with multiple awards per category. Nominations for the awards will be accepted through Friday, July 12.
“The number of outstanding business success stories across Kansas continues to grow — and we’re looking forward to recognizing more impressive companies and businesspeople who invest in their communities and in our state,” said Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland in a news release.
Statewide award winners from the 2023 Kansas Business Awards, which were hosted in Wichita, KS, include ComfortCare Homes, which received the 2023 award for Healthcare/ Non-Profit. ComfortCare Homes specializes in providing top-level care to those who have experience living with dementia. The company also differentiates itself by offering consistent care to residential homes. ComfortCare Homes is based out of Wichita, KS, and was founded in 1993.
Winners from the 2023 banquet also included B’s Hometown Market for the Retail/Service award. B’s Hometown Market is located in La Crosse, KS, and was founded more than 140 years ago. Kelly and Pat Balman bought out the establishment, which was closed at the time and needed many renovations. The pair then went on to open the market back up in April of 2023.
Clothed in Compassion was awarded as a statewide winner for the Under 30 Entrepreneur/ Business Person category. Clothed in Compassion out of Hutchinson, KS offers accessible occupational therapy and care to families in the Hutchinson area, no matter their financials. Or other circumstances.
Other winners from the 2023 awards include:
- Tesseract Ventures | Welcome Back to Kansas
- Zephyr Products | Non-Traditional Talent Pools
- MaiCo Industries | Manufacturing/Distribution
- Phazebreak Coatings | Business Innovation
- Wheatland Electric Cooperative | Apprenticeship Champions and Partners
- SurePoint Ag Systems | AgriBusiness
This year’s award event banquet will take place on October 3 in Great Bend. During the banquet, the 2024 Exporter of the Year and the Governor’s Award of Excellence will also be revealed. To nominate a business or individual for the 2024 To the Stars: Kansas Business Award, or for more information, visit the Kansas Department of Commerce nomination page.
Photo courtesy of The Kansas Department of Commerce
