Five local companies are being recognized for doing business in Greater Reno-Tahoe and for their community contributions at the 23rd Annual Governor's Industry Appreciation Awards, Thursday, November 1, 2007 at the Grand Sierra Resort. The five companies receiving the prestigious "Distinguished Business of the Year" award are: AT&T Nevada, CGI, Inc., High Desert Special Operations Center, Intuit, Inc., and Microsoft Licensing, GP.
This is the first year multiple companies are being honored. "We had an extraordinary number of qualified companies to consider, and the five businesses chosen represent the best of business in Greater Reno-Tahoe this year, and a true commitment to making the community a better place to live," said Chuck Alvey, president/CEO of the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada (EDAWN), an event co-host.
"Each of our company award winners are successful businesses that are thriving while also exemplifying strong corporate citizenship," said Ron Weisinger, executive director of the Northern Nevada Development Authority (NNDA), event co-host.
The Distinguished Business of the Year award recognizes companies that have been in business locally for more than five years, demonstrate strong corporate citizenship and contribute to the regional economy. This year's Distinguished Business of the Year award winners are:

AT&T Nevada

AT&T Nevada is the premier U.S. provider of wireless, broadband, long distance and local voice services. The Reno-based company is generating 650 new jobs to Nevada, 300 in Reno, supporting job growth and economic vitality in the region. In 2006, the AT&T Pioneers, the nation's largest employer sponsored employee volunteer organization, volunteered 15,000 hours of staff time and donated $614,000 to the state of Nevada - much of which benefited Greater Reno-Tahoe.

CGI, Inc.

CGI, Inc., based in Carson City, Nev., designs and manufactures precision motion control products. The company is an avid community supporter for a range of local organizations including the March of Dimes, Boys and Girls Clubs of Western Nevada, the Carson Comets, Nevada D.A.R.E., and Veterans of Foreign Wars, among others. CGI's employee volunteer contributions range from Treats for Troops to Little League coaching.

High Desert Special Operations Center

The High Desert Special Operations Center in Hawthorne, Nev., serves as the West Coast's premier training facility for law enforcement agencies, special operations units and armed security forces. The company's security training program is internationally recognized as one of the best in the industry, providing training to more than 700 U.S. Armed Forces personnel deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan in 2007 alone. The company supports the local community by donating to Scholars and Champions, VFW Post 2313 and other charitable organizations.

Intuit, Inc.

Intuit Payroll software and services help small businesses manage their payroll more efficiently. As one of Fortune's "100 Best Companies to Work For", Intuit's Reno facility and its employees give back to the community through the We Care and Give Back (WCGB) program. Last fiscal year, 533 Reno employees volunteered 2,964 hours for Inuit-sponsored WCGB activities, raising more than $8,000 for the American Cancer Society and $45,000 toward other area charities.

Microsoft Licensing, GP

Microsoft Licensing, GP manages worldwide product licensing agreements for Microsoft. The company's community affairs support three pillars: health and wellness; technology, education and children; and diversity within the community. In 2006, the company awarded five high school students with diverse backgrounds scholarships to Truckee Meadows Community College. Most recently, Microsoft Licensing donated more than 1,600 hours to local charities during its annual Community Action Week supporting 15 local organizations.
Other companies being recognized as new to the region or for recent expansion include the following "Honorees": New Companies: Aloha Medicinals; American AVK Company, Inc.; Carry-On Trailer; Gems TV USA, Ltd.; K2 Distribution, T.A.P.; SK Food Group, Inc.; Sunie Seiki Tech Co., Ltd.; Veltec Sports; Wal-Mart DC 7048; and Western Dairy Specialities, LLC. Expanded Companies: Bright Systems, Inc.; Complete Millwork Services, Inc.; EE Technologies, Inc.; Forward Foods, LLC; Goldcorp Inc./Marigold Mine; Golden Phoenix Minerals, Inc.; Hamilton Company; Henry Schein-Western Distribution Center; Independent, Inc.; Microsoft Licensing, GP; Quad/Graphics; Starbucks Coffee Co. - Carson Valley Roasting Plant; and The Tire Rack.

The Governor's Industry Appreciation Awards will feature Alan Webber, co-founder of Fast Company magazine, who will share his knowledge and insight into an economy fueled by information, change and innovation. As a columnist for USA Today, Webber has also written for the Los Angeles Times, the New York Times, The New York Times Magazine and The Washington Post.

The event is co-hosted by EDAWN and NNDA in cooperation with the Nevada Commission on Economic Development. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. with a no-host reception followed by the program and dinner at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $130 per person or $1,200 for a table of 10. To purchase tickets visit www.edawn.org/giaa or call 775.829.3712 or 775.883.4413.

About EDAWN: EDAWN is a private, non-profit corporation founded by community leaders in 1982. EDAWN works to recruit and expand quality companies that have a positive impact on the quality of life in Greater Reno-Tahoe. Reno was named the No. 1 Place for Doing Business in America 2005 by Inc. magazine. Through a joint operating agreement, EDAWN and the Northern Nevada Development Authority (NNDA) provide a regional economic development effort. For more information, visit http://www.edawn.org.
About NNDA: NNDA is a private, tax exempt non-profit organization governed by a working board of directors to promote the region as the premier market for business. It is one of 13 development agencies in Nevada and is the state's regional economic development authority serving Carson City, Douglas, Lyon and Storey counties. NNDA brings resources such as educational institutions, industrial organizations, for-profit and not-for-profit groups and governmental bodies together to assist new start-ups, companies looking to relocate, remain or expand in Greater Reno-Tahoe. For more information, visit www.nnda.org.

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