2024 Business Appreciation Awards

The EDCMC team is shining a light on the impactful businesses and community leaders who have helped cultivate the city’s current culture of collaboration and prosperity.

Our 2024 Business Appreciation Awards placed our honorees on center stage for their investments, longevity, passion and mark on our community’s growth.

Our team honored the businesses who are celebrating milestones, investing in our community, sparking change through updates or renovations and elevating our economic development efforts.

Congrats to Phoenix Award winners: Burn ‘Em Brewery, Lakefront Salon & Spa and Ritz Klub Tavern for their transformative changes to existing spaces.

Leadership Award honorees: Beth Wrobel, who recently retired as HealthLinc CEO, and Shannon Eason, who is the new superintendent of the Michigan City Parks & Recreation Department.

Lifetime Achievement honorees: Dr. Barbara Eason Watkins, who is retiring as superintendent of Michigan City Area Schools, and John Schaefer, who was honored posthumously for his work in the community and as a CPA.