(Minden, NE) - During Community Development Week of April 8 – 14th, the Minden Economic Development Advisory Council awarded three community awards to recognize progress and innovation in the community of Minden. Awards were Manufacturer of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year, and Friend of Minden.
Receiving the Manufacturer of the Year Award for 2012 was KAAPA Ethanol L.L.C. Founded in Minden, NE, in 2002, KAAPA Ethanol L.L.C. was one of the first ethanol projects in Nebraska, and is today the largest farmer-owned ethanol plant in the state, shipping 59 million gallons of ethanol and over 450,000 tons of wet distilled grains annually, and employing 38 workers at its Minden facility.
“ KAAPA Ethanol is honored to have been named Manufacturer of the Year. Our employees and our stock holders are proud of what has been accomplished. The participation by the City of Minden was critical in our startup and we appreciate all that they have done to work with us as we grow. Since the owners of KAAPA Ethanol live in the local community, corporate stewardship is a priority. We continue to reinvest in our facility and identify opportunities for the future. The ethanol industry has been a great driver of economic activity in the nation and there is not a better place to see that than at the KAAPA Ethanol facility in Minden,” stated Chuck Woodside, KAAPA CEO.
KAAPA Ethanol is committed to supporting farmers, growers and the environment through advancing agricultural innovation from a strong financial foundation and productive partnerships. KAAPA’s economic growth, leadership in the community, and progressive attitude has set them apart as this year’s local manufacturer.
The community Entrepreneurial of the Year Award recognizes businesses or individuals for their growth, creativity, community involvement and leadership. Owners of L T Pedley Drug Store, Jeff and Tami Hanson, were awarded the 2012 Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
Jeff and Tami Hanson purchased Pedley Drug in 1999. In 2009, they were granted Medicare accreditation with the Accreditation Commission for Health Care. Recently they implemented expansion plans when they purchased the former City Café building in 2011. This building purchase was the beginning of an extensive remodeling and expansion project. With the remodel, they will be able to showcase the durable medical equipment that Pedley Drug has offered since 1999.
L T Pedley Drug Store is a member of the Minden Chamber of Commerce. Both Jeff and Tami actively support community youth sports programs including: Legion baseball, Minden Club Volleyball, Minden Club Basketball and Optimists Youth sports.
Jeff is a member of the Kearney County Health Services Board of Trustees, City Parks and Recreation Committee, is on the Community Senior Center Board of Directors and an Optimist Club Member. Tami has served three terms on the Minden Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, was the Chamber of Commerce President in 2011and is active on the Chamber of Commerce City Promotions Committee.
The Friend of Minden Award is designed to recognize the important role individuals play in the community. Inspiration, passion, desire, community involvement, and leadership set the 2012 award recipients apart. Dick and Sally Phillip were awarded this year’s Friend of Minden Award recipients. They have a passion for the community of Minden that is represented in their leadership and in their ability to create opportunities to better the lives of people around them.
Having now lived in the Minden for 45 years, the Phillips first came to Minden when Dick accepted a position teaching 6th grade in Minden Public Schools and Sally began working as a Registered Nurse at Kearney County Hospital. During Dick’s 36 year teaching career he also coached wrestling and together they sponsored the local Huddle of Fellowship of Christian Athletes. They owned and operated “Pitch and Putt”, the local miniature golf course for ten years and have had a lawn mowing business for the last 25 years. They have been pleased to raise their three children in Minden and are equally pleased to have their daughter Marcy and three of their six grandchildren living here now.
Four years ago they were part of founding a faith-based non-profit service organization in Colorado called “Be the Gift.” The mission of the organization is to raise the quality and spirit of life for single parents and their families. They do this by connecting those who need help with volunteers who desire to help in their community. The primary focus is to provide simple home repairs at little or no cost to the single parent. In 2010 the Phillips’ brought “Be the Gift” to Nebraska and Minden where they function with a council of ten other individuals from Minden.
In 2009, Dick and Sally attended a simulcast leadership event sponsored by Chick-fil-A called Leadercast. They were so impressed by the event and how it could impact a community that they began exploring ways to bring the event to Minden. Through the hard work of a committee of people and the generosity of businesses and individuals, the third Leadercast will be held in Minden at the Opera House on May 4th.
The Phillips are members of the Minden Chamber of Commerce, the Minden Opera House, and the Evangelical Free Church. Both volunteer time to the production of the “Light of the World” Christmas pageant. Dick was a member of the founding Board of Directors of the Minden Opera House and he is also a member of Minden Rotary.