WCDC President David Hoffman and service dog Duke accept the Washington Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year award. Photo by Sam McIntosh.
Economic development, local businesses, and community involvement were celebrated at the Washington Business Partnership Annual Dinner.
Presentations were given by Main Street Washington, Washington Economic Development Group, and the Washington Chamber of Commerce. Main Street Washington presented the Volunteer of the Year award to Don Kline. The Washington Chamber of Commerce’s Business of the Year award was given to WCDC Inc., Volunteer of the Year award was given to Pam Green, and Citizen of the Year award was given to Debbie Stanton, director of the Washington Public Library. Stanton is moving to Topeka, Kansas, to be closer to family, but says she will never truly leave Washington, “I’ve had the privilege to work with so many amazing people in this room and outside of this room. I just feel like I’m a huge cheerleader of Washington, I tell Washington’s story everywhere I go. I’ll continue to do that even when we’re unfortunately leaving.”
Another Washington figure who made his last appearance at the dinner was WEDG Executive Director Ed Raber, who was presented a plaque of appreciation for his work in the county, “We’re spending our money here, got more jobs, our population is growing, you have a lot of great things going on all around Washington County. Never ever, ever stand for someone saying ‘You’re just a bedroom community.’ We are the nicest neighborhood in the Iowa City metro area.”
Brava Roof Tile was given the Harvey Holden Special Service Award, and past Washington Chamber of Commerce president Maureen Howard was given a certificate of appreciation.