Several Van Buren and Cass County businesses have been honored for their work in the community with the fifth annual Market One Awards.

Market One Director Zach Morris tells us they held their annual awards ceremony in South Haven last week. The goal is to celebrate the achievements of standout businesses and forward-thinking municipalities making a difference in Southwest Michigan.

“I recognized five years ago, over five years ago, that we had all these people doing things and we weren’t as a community honoring these folks and making sure they’re recognized and also rewarding the behaviors of people who are doing the right things,” Morris said.

Morris says the Community Champion of the Year Award went to Hydro Aluminum Metals of Cassopolis for investing in the local high school. The Municipal Trailblazer of the Year is the city of South Haven for $40 million in infrastructure work it’s done in recent years. The Business Innovator of the Year is Consumers Energy for leading the way on improving the state’s electrical grid.

The Economic Pioneer of the Year is Holtec International for its efforts to restart the Palisades nuclear power plant. Morris says that’s a pretty big endeavor.

“I think this is something that is unique to the whole world, to reopen a nuclear plant after it’s been announced closed. And here they are, breathing new life into it, bringing 800 megawatts of clean energy, carbon-free energy back to the electric grid at a time we need it more than ever.”

Best New Business of the Year Awards went to Lake Effect HVAC Company in Dowagiac and Sly’s Seafood and Company in Paw Paw. Finally, Morris says the Legacy Award went to Edward Lowe of Cassopolis, the inventor of kitty litter.

Morris says Market One is proud to celebrate the businesses that exemplify the innovation, resilience, and leadership that is essential to building a thriving economy.