Clark County business leaders recognized at annual awards, expo event

Dan and Cathy Young at the  Greater Springfield Partnership’s annual meeting on Thursday at the Hollenbeck Bayley Conference and Arts Center in Springfield. Dan is the recipient of the Richard L. Kuss Lifetime Achievement Award this year. BILL LACKEY/STAFF

Credit: Bill Lackey

Credit: Bill Lackey

Dan and Cathy Young at the Greater Springfield Partnership’s annual meeting on Thursday at the Hollenbeck Bayley Conference and Arts Center in Springfield. Dan is the recipient of the Richard L. Kuss Lifetime Achievement Award this year. BILL LACKEY/STAFF

Hundreds of local business and government leaders gathered in downtown Springfield on Thursday evening as the Greater Springfield Partnership presented its top awards and held its annual business expo.

Dan Young received the evening’s top award, the Richard L. Kuss Lifetime Achievement Award, which honors business leaders who display a community servant’s heart.

Young serves as the CEO of Young’s Jersey Dairy north of Yellow Springs, a family run business credited with attracting more than one million people a year to the region.

Other awards included the Business of the Year, McGregor Metal, a family business with more than 300 local employees, and the Small Business of the Year, KK Tool, a family operated business in the downtown area.

The Springfield Promise Neighborhood won the Community Impact Award for its efforts to help families and children in south Springfield neighborhoods through a variety of programs, including its community gardens.

Aaron Brossoit, CEO of Golden Shovel Agency and economic development expert, delivered the keynote address about using the Metaverse and virtual reality for economic development.

Golden Shovel, based in Minnesota, has worked with the Greater Springfield Partnership for its rebranding and on other projects in recent years.

The event was conducted at the Hollenbeck Bayley Creative Arts and Conference Center on South Limestone Street. Prior to the awards, several businesses took part in an expo.

Colleen Corrigan, from Wallace & Turner Insurance, talks with Leslie Leibold during the Greater Springfield Partnership's annual expo and awards dinner Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023 at the Hollenbeck Bayley Creative Arts Center and Conference Center. The annual event brings together dozens of Springfield and Clark County businesses and organizations. BILL LACKEY/STAFF

Credit: Bill Lackey

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Credit: Bill Lackey