Who Is Up For Williston’s Most Anticipated Awards Of The Year?

Williston Economic Development (WED) and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) have announced the nominees for their 2024 awards banquet, which will be held on Friday, September 13th, at 6:00 p.m. at the Grand Williston Hotel and Conference Center.

The event promises to be a night of celebration, recognizing the outstanding contributions of local entrepreneurs, businesses, and organizations in the Williston area.

This year’s banquet will feature a social hour, live entertainment by Alma Cook, a plated dinner, and the presentation of 11 awards across various categories.

The awards ceremony is a highlight of the year, as it celebrates the achievements and dedication of those who contribute to the community's economic growth and development.

Among the awards to be presented are the WED 2024 Ambassador of the Year, Partnership of the Year, Regional Business of the Year, Icon of the Year, and Ag Project of the Year.

Nominees for the Ambassador of the Year include Cyndy Aafedt, recognized for her years of service to the community, Richard Ceynar, honored for his support of area veterans, and Brom Lutz, known for his contributions to the oil and gas industry.

The Partnership of the Year nominees highlight collaborative efforts, including Bright Beginnings, which developed a childcare facility at Williston State College, Williston Community Builders/Williston Community Gardens, which opened a new community garden, and the Williston Downtowners Association/Summer Nights on Main, a popular family-friendly event.

Regional Business of the Year nominees include the Bakken Area Skills Center, which provides training to schools in Northwest ND, the Theodore Roosevelt Expressway, known for its vital highway improvements, and Williams County’s Park System Master Plan, which focuses on enhancing local parks.

The Icon of the Year nominees feature long-standing businesses such as B&G Oilfield, Ceynar Chiropractic, and McKennett Law Firm, each with decades of service to the Williston community. In the agriculture sector, ND Malting and Hops, Inc., and Safflower Technologies International are recognized for their innovative contributions.

The SBDC will also present awards to outstanding businesses, including Marcus Boykin of Gate City Bank as Lender of the Year, Kenzie Brown’s Coyote Pups Learning Den as Woman-Owned Business of the Year, The Galvan’s Bakery as New Business of the Year, and Cottonwood Forest Pumpkin Patch as Existing Business of the Year.

Winners in each category are selected by the WED and SBDC offices, with votes cast by members of the Williston STAR Fund Board of Directors, Williston City Commission, and the Western Region Economic Development Board of Directors.

Get our free mobile app

Tickets for the event are available for purchase online, and the community is invited to join in celebrating the achievements of these deserving nominees.