Town Meeting March 18th

On March 18th at the Belle Glade Quarterly Town Meeting, City Manager Bill Underwood announced the 2008 Business of the Year and the 2008 Entrepreneur of the Year.  The nominees were selected based on their community contributions and the economic development contributions to the City of Belle Glade during the 2007 year.

The '2008 Business of the Year' goes to Lake Welding Supplies, Inc, a family owned corporation who has served Western Glades County for the past 49 years.  The Company provides 10 full time jobs that include benefits and most of the employees have served the company continuously. In 2007 the company upgraded their facilities and added computerization and online marketing via their website at www.lakeweldingsupplies.com.  They also donated $13,000 to the County to be used for local Community projects.

The '2008 Entrepreneur of the Year' goes to Betty Nelson and Shirley Walters owners of Little Hands Learning Center and Plaza.  Their business was started in 2002 under the management of Willy Lawrence who created a plan to develop the organization as it grew. After only 4 years they had outgrown the rental facility on 1st street and the opportunity to purchase the old KFC shopping plaza became available. With the financial assistance of the Doc Hill Foundation, a County Regions Grant, paint from the Solid Waste Authority, and a lot of hard work and personal investment the dream has finally become reality.

The Little Hands Learning Center and 4 other new startup businesses in the Plaza have created 66 new jobs in Belle Glade Community. The best part is that is has only taken 8 months to make this dream a reality.

The EDGE Center Board is proud to be a partner in the success of these committed organizations and have donated a 12x12 Engraved Marble Brick to be placed on the Wall of Fame in the new EDGE Innovation Center that will be completed by 12/2009.