People around here find it pretty easy to complain about/criticize/blast Menards (and John Menard in particular) for a whole variety of reasons. But some people also find it pretty easy to praise the home improvement super chain/super rich guy, as well. Like who? Well, the Eau Claire Area Economic Development Corp for starters. From the L-T …

• Menards earned the 2009 Paragon Economic Impact Award on Monday at the Eau Claire Area Economic Development Corp.'s annual banquet at The Florian Gardens.
• … recognized for its innovation, economic development role in the Eau Claire area and other criteria.

Despite the many complaints about Menards, ranging from working conditions to philanthropic motivations, it’s hard to deny that a lot of locals are paying their rent (and a tiny part of their health insurance) through the Save Big Money payroll – around 3,000 at last count. At any rate, I imagine that (as you read this) John is using a cordless Tool Shop drill to bolt his new Paragon Economic Impact Award to the wall right above his bed.