Sept. 13, 2017 – Madison, Wis. – Delta Defense LLC, based in West Bend, and the City of West Bend received a Business Retention & Expansion (BR&E) Award at the 3rd annual Community and Economic Development Awards banquet, held tonight at the Edgewater Hotel in Madison.
This award recognizes efforts in which a community successfully mobilized to retain and/or expand a business. Winning projects demonstrate extensive cross-community collaboration and the ability to adapt and respond quickly to unforeseen events within the last three years.
“Delta Defense could have located their world headquarters anywhere in the United States. We are proud they chose West Bend, and we feel fortunate they continue to grow here,” said West Bend Mayor Kraig Sadownikow. “They have proven to be an inspiration to their customers and employees and are a positive influence to dozens of organizations and efforts in our city. Quite simply, they make West Bend a better place to live.”
Delta Defense President and CEO Tim Schmidt said, “It’s truly humbling to be recognized for this award, but it’s something really special to know that our company has a thriving community to call home. We are grateful to have worked with our friends at the City of West Bend to make this all possible and can’t wait for what the future holds.”
Through collaboration between Delta Defense LLC, City of West Bend, Economic Development Washington County and Wisconsin Economic Development Cooperation, a company that started at a kitchen table in West Bend was able to elevate to one of the fastest growing associations in the nation—the United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA). Delta Defense LLC is a top employer in West Bend, pledging to reach 190 employees by 2020. This summer they moved into a new 60,000 sq.-ft. headquarters on West Bend’s WEDC Certified Site.
The Wisconsin Economic Development Association (WEDA) and its partner organizations developed the Community and Economic Development Awards program to recognize best practices and economic development-focused businesses and organizations that are making their community or region a better place to live, work and play.
“WEDA is excited that our Community and Economic Development Awards program is able to celebrate the dedicated efforts of local, county, regional, state and private organizations in advancing our state’s economy,” said WEDA President Ed White.
Seven awards were given in six categories: Business Retention and Expansion; Economic Driver (Large and Small); Human Capital; Real Estate Development and Reuse; Economic Development Initiative; and Public-Private Partnership.
To implement the awards program, WEDA partners with the Wisconsin League of Municipalities, Wisconsin Counties Association and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.
Award sponsors are Alliant Energy, Bachmann Construction, J H Findorff & Son, Green Bay Packers, Madison Gas & Electric, US Bank, Insight Publications, American Transmission Company, Wisconsin Public Service and Xcel Energy.
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About WEDA – The Wisconsin Economic Development Association is Wisconsin’s voice for economic development. The statewide association is a 400+ member organization whose primary objective is to increase the effectiveness of individuals involved in the practice of economic development in Wisconsin by encouraging cooperation, exchange of information and promotion of professional skills. With a proactive board and involved membership support, WEDA will continue to advance the professionalism of Wisconsin’s economic development efforts.
Photos courtesy Kraig Sadownikow.
