Governor honors two Springfield companies

Two Springfield companies were presented awards during the 1999 Governor's Economic Development Awards Luncheon May 18.

Paul Mueller Company was recognized as Exporter of the Year and First USA was presented the Business Attraction and Expansion Award.

Gov. Mel Carnahan announced the winners at the awards luncheon opening the 41st Annual Governor's Economic Development Conference at Tan-Tar-A Resort in Osage Beach.

"We have come to realize that economic development is much more than attracting and retaining businesses in Missouri," said Missouri Department of Economic Development Director Joseph L. Driskill. "Successful economic development is derived from connections established between workers, businesses and the communities where they reside. Each of these factors must be nurtured to spur growth and promote a better quality of life for Missourians."

The Governor's Economic Development Awards were revamped this year, restructuring traditional categories and adding brand new ones in order to recognize people, businesses and organizations that are the best at what they do.

In addition to Mueller and First USA's honors, the award winners included the following:

?First Annual Governor's Achievement Award: Platte County Economic Development Council

?Governor's Small Business Award: Tacony Corporation, Fenton

?Governor's Technology Award: Harmon Industries, Inc., Blue Springs

?First Time Exporter of the Year Award: ProtoSpace Corp., St. Louis

?Innovative Training/Work Force Development Award: Meramec Manufacturing Council, Rolla

?Economic Development Marketing Program of the Year Award: Moberly-Randolph Economic Development Corp.

?Community Development Award: DeSoto and Jefferson County Community Partnership (Tie).