Shortcuts | Mar. 8, 2012

condensed local news about civic and cultural goings-on

V1 Staff |

STELLAR DOWNTOWN EAU CLAIRE BUSINESSES RECOGNIZED

Downtown Eau Claire, Inc. hosted their annual awards banquet on Feb. 29 to honor local businesses in a variety of categories. The winners were chosen by a public survey with a few hundred respondents. The big winner was Brent Douglas, with the Art Gallery winning the award for best new business and Flowers for Everyday presented with best renovation. Other notable awards were given out to Houligans for Restaurant of the Year, Sculpture Tour for Best New Event, First Fridays for Best New Promotion, and Mayo Clinic Health System for Development of the Year. Volume One’s Local Store picked up some swag, as well, with wins for Best Retail Store and Most Improved Facade. A couple individuals were also honored. Linda Soltis-Schroeder was awarded Volunteer of the Year and Bob Krause was given the Dedicated Service Award.

YOUR EMERGING BUSINESS COULD SCORE $200,000 GRANT

The Innovation Foundation of Western Wisconsin is ready to give you $200,000. And by “you” we mean an emerging innovation business in the area of product development and from Dunn, St. Criox, Pierce, or Polk counties. The IFWW is a nonprofit with a mission to develop the local economy by nurturing the creation of companies that focus on innovative ideas in  our region. By providing solutions in the areas of management and capital, such as the utilization of local resources, assistance and guidance in strategic organization, product initiation and development, and funding tactics, the IFWW and its advisors hope to play a key role in creating a successful and fruitful future. And a $200,000 grant is a great place to start. The deadline is March 30, so submit your idea to ifww.org.