Gurnee looks to start annual business awards

Gurnee Trustee Thomas Hood says it's time to recognize businesses doing good work in the village.

"I'd like it to be kind of special," Hood said. "And I'm trying to think of something the businesses would actually like, that they would say, 'Oh, this is a good recognition that's important to us.'"

Economic development committee members agreed with Hood after he pitched his proposal at a meeting last week. They intend to form a plan and have it ready to unveil at Mayor Kristina Kovarik's annual business luncheon in May, with the first winners announced at her November gathering.

Economic development committee member Tim Garrity noted how the village must work to attract and keep businesses.

"We have some competition from Wisconsin," Garrity said. "If you get some good plugs in there saying, 'Boy, Gurnee is proactive and is able to actually reward a business versus nothing but punitive and taxes,' I think it does create some goodwill and it gives us a tool against potentially losing business across the border for minimal cost."

Hood said his idea was spurred by the village's privately funded Teacher of the Year program, which launched in 2014, involving Gurnee's three school districts. He said the business awards could create a similar positive connection to village government.

While Teacher of the Year winners each receive $1,000 from the village through a private donor, economic development committee members said cash prizes might not be appropriate for businesses. Alternate ideas include a one-year business license rebate, a featured spot in the mayor's luncheons or free advertising and tickets for the Legions of Craft Beer festival.

Online nominations would be solicited under the preliminary plan, Gurnee Economic Development Director Ellen Dean said. A judging panel might include a village board trustee, an economic development committee representative and a Gurnee Chamber of Commerce member, Dean said.

Trustee Karen Thorstenson, who is the economic development committee's chairwoman, said she supports the concept of businesses being offered an opportunity to apply for an award.

Dean said there could be award categories. Possibilities include: an innovator award for a business leading Gurnee into the future; a customer service award based on patron nominations; and a hospitality award for companies mostly serving tourists.