Governor Eric J. Holcomb honored 65 Indiana companies and organizations Thursday during an event at the Indiana Statehouse, presenting each with the Governor’s Century or Half Century Business Award in recognition of each company’s longevity and service to its employees, community and the state.
“Today we honor businesses that have helped lay a foundation for economic success in Indiana, maintaining operations for more than 50 to 100 years and creating long-term career opportunities for Hoosiers,” Gov. Holcomb said. “Through a strong dedication to their employees, their businesses and their communities, these companies exemplify the pioneering spirit and perseverance that will push our state forward for years to come.”
The Governor’s Century and Half Century Business Awards honor Hoosier businesses that have remained in operation for a minimum of 100 or 50 consecutive years and have demonstrated a commitment to community service. More than 1,500 Indiana companies have been recognized during the award’s 28-year history. While no businesses in Marshall County were honored this time, several from the surrounding counties were…..
Century Award honorees for 2019:
- Claeys Candy, founded by Jerome “J.C.” Claeys in 1919, launched its operations in Claeys’ garage in South Bend. The company makes confections such as Old Fashion Sugared Hard Candies, Chocolate Charlie®, Gourmet Peanut Brittle and Fudges using the finest ingredients in small production batches.
100 years; St. Joseph County
Half Century Award honorees for 2019:
- Amish Acres was founded by Richard Pletcher when he purchased the 80-acre Stahly-Nisley-Kuhns farm, the only Amish farm listed in the National Register of Historic Places, at public auction in 1968. After restoring the farm and relocating historical structures to Nappanee, Amish Acres was transformed into one of Indiana’s premier heritage tourism destinations, attracting visitors to its restaurants, shops, live theatre and lodging.
51 years; Elkhart County - Good Oil Company, founded by Don O. Good Sr. in 1941, is a fuel jobber and owner of the Good To Go convenience store chain, which operates 16 retail locations and supplies more than 100 dealer locations. Along with giving back to the community through philanthropic events and sponsorships, Good Oil raised more than $40,000 this past summer for local schools through its “G.O. for School Safety” campaign.
78 years; Pulaski County - Jayco manufactures and markets towable and motorized recreation vehicles (RVs) through its Jayco, Starcraft, Entegra Coach and Highland Ridge RV divisions. Today, the company has more than 3,000 employees and supplies over 300 dealers across the U.S. As one of the industry’s top RV manufacturers, Jayco contributes to the growth of the RV industry, with nearly 80 percent of all RV production occurring right here in Indiana.
51 years; Elkhart County - Kersting’s Cycle Center is a Winamac-based motorcycle dealership established by Jim and Nella Kersting in 1962. With more than 40,000 square feet of showroom and service space, Kersting’s Cycle Center sells 400 motorcycles, including Harley-Davidson and Yamaha brands, annually. At its facility, the business also features a motorcycle museum called the World of Motorcycles Museum.
57 years; Pulaski County - Wawasee Boat Company, founded by Ken Harkless in 1929, provides boat sales, service and storage for customers on Lake Wawasee and surrounding lakes, and has grown to be one of the largest marinas in the state. In 1977, Doug and Carolyn Anderson and their son Russell obtained ownership and have operated the 45-acre campus on the north shore of Lake Wawasee for 42 years.
90 years; Kosciusko County - Winamac Coil Spring, founded by Walter Pesaresi in 1948, is a third-generation, family-owned and operated company that produces quality, long-lasting springs and wire forms globally. The company’s products are utilized by a variety of industries such as off-road vehicles, racing, agriculture equipment, medical devices, industrial equipment and heavy machinery. Winamac Coil Spring’s mantra is that the company’s current 188 employees are its “greatest asset.”
71 years; Fulton County
