City of Cedar Falls, IA

05/17/2023 | News release | Distributed by Public on 05/17/2023 09:54

2023 Cedar Falls Business and Industry Appreciation Awards and Representative Citizen

The City of Cedar Falls and Cedar Falls Utilities honored the 2023 recipients of the Cedar Falls Business and Industry Appreciation Awards and Representative Citizen during a celebratory luncheon on May 11, 2023, at the Hilton Garden Inn. The event recognized individuals, groups, and businesses for their continued interest andinvestment in the community.

Learn more about the honorees below and join us in thanking them for their dedication to growing Cedar Falls!

Kubica Engineering: New Investor Award

Kubica Corp is an engineering company that specializes in industrial, automotive, and manufacturing software and systems integration solutions.

The Other Place Main Street: Redevelopment Investor Award

The Stedman Family and Partners have been active business owners of The Other Place in the community for over 50 years.

"We are excited for the opportunity to expand our company by investing in Downtown Cedar Falls and are grateful for the continued support this community has shown us at our newest location."

Cedar Falls Tourism & Visitors Bureau/Cedar Valley Sports Commission/ UNI Athletics: Community Development Partnership Award

The Cedar Falls Tourism & Visitors Bureau, UNI Athletics, and the Cedar Valley Sports Commission work together throughout the year on some of the area's largest visitor events. These include the Iowa High School Athletic Association's State Football Playoffs, JVA UNI-Dome Challenge volleyball tournament, and USA Wrestling Folkstyle Nationals. These events and many more bring in millions of visitor dollars to Cedar Falls and support area restaurants, hotels, and shops.

The Cedar Valley Sports Commission is a nonprofit organization dedicated to sports tourism in Cedar Falls, Waterloo, and surrounding communities. They work with local, regional, and national sports organizations to host youth and amateur sporting events in local venues. These events generate economic impact, promote tourism, and enhance the overall quality of life for local residents.

UNI Athletics provides opportunities for student-athletes through quality learning experiences and competition. They take pride in their role as a unifying force for the UNI campus and Cedar Falls community.

Hansen's Dairy Cedar Falls: Continued Investor Award

Hansen's Dairy opened its Cedar Falls location in 2007, one of three storefronts in the building at 123 East 18th Street. The Hansen family purchased the building in 2015 and became the building's sole occupant soon after, operating the dairy store and the adjacent gas station. Building renovations to consolidate the space began in the fall of 2019 and were completed in about 18 months. New store features include a food service kitchen and ice cream parlor, indoor/outdoor seating, expanded refrigerated/frozen space, a new building facade, and upgraded gas pumps. The store sells Hansen's Dairy products, local groceries, fuel, convenience items, hot food, and ice cream treats.

College Hill Farmers Market: Quality of Life Award

The College Hill Farmers Market is a producer-only market offering quality products. The mission is to provide an enjoyable environment where customers can find quality, local products and provide economic opportunities for local vendors. Vendors may only sell items that have been raised, prepared, or produced by the vendor or their family members.

Downtown Cedar Falls Farmers Market: Quality of Life Award

Through the integrity of its vendors and their products, the Cedar Falls Farmer's Market provides economic opportunity to local farmers and home-based producers by providing a robust, sustainable market with a steady customer base in which they can sell their products. By working with the City of Cedar Falls, they build relationships between local farmers, producers, crafters, artisans, and citizens to enhance health and quality of life and to provide an event that fosters community gathering and interaction.

CedarStone Senior Living: CFU Energy Innovator Award

CedarStone Senior Living is an assisted living community, owned by Nelson Construction & Development and managed by Ecumen. They offer carefree, assisted living, and memory care services.

Shirley Merner: Representative Citizen

"If you can dream it, you can do it." Shirley Merner claims this quote as her mantra. A life-long resident of the Cedar Valley, Shirley has been chosen as the 2023 Cedar Falls Representative Citizen for her many contributions to the City, from the wide variety of boards and commissions she has and still serves on, to the volunteers she engages for multiple projects. Shirley says she has found Cedar Falls is a city of "good people doing good for others."