JEFFERSON COUNTY, WIS. (EXCERPTS FROM BIZTIMES.COM) – The new Food Innovation Campus in Jefferson has won project of the year from Thrive Economic Development and BizTimes Media’s Thrive Leaders & Legends Awards. The project, which was identified and teed up with the help of Vandewalle & Associates through work with Jefferson County, the City of Jefferson, and Thrive.
“The campus was designed to create an ecosystem for food and beverage manufacturers,” said Deb Ryanold, president of Thrive Economic Development. “A project like the food and beverage innovation campus works in Jefferson County because we have deep and cherished roots in agriculture, food production, and manufacturing.”
The innovative project reflects the collective commitment of business and community leaders and area organizations to improve the economy and quality of life in Jefferson County. So when Kikkoman – the world’s leading manufacturer of Asian seasoning – came to the area looking for a site, Jefferson and Thrive Partners were able to answer the call.
At the awards ceremony, Jefferson County’s most innovative businesses and solution-oriented organizations took center stage. The inaugural April event was held at the Riverstone Premier Event Center in Fort Atkinson. Attending were nearly 200 business owners, executives and community leaders from Jefferson County and across the region. The awards recognize and highlight outstanding businesses, organizations, leaders and initiatives.