March 9, 2015—The U.S. Chamber of Commerce recently named Shade Tree Auto of Grimes, Iowa, as a winner of its annual, national Blue Ribbon Business Awards.
The awards recognize “companies for their success and innovation and for the their contributions to economic growth and free enterprise,” according to a release.
Shade Tree Auto, owned by Clint Dudley, was the lone Iowa small business to receive the honor, and it was one of just two repair facilities to be named. The other was Superior Service Center in Eagan, Minn., owned by Dan Sjolseth.
Shade Tree previously has received the COmmunity Champion Award from the Greater Des Moines Partnership, and has been a AAA Top Shop for the last three years.
“While our economy still struggles to reach its full potential, small businesses like our Blue Ribbon Award winners have continued to act as examples of the resilience, ingenuity, and opportunity at work in the free enterprise system,” U.S. Chamber President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue said. “Times can be tough, but these businesses have proven that they can be too. And by taking risks, watching out for their employees, and giving back to their communities, they’ve shown that success is achievable.”
The U.S. Chamber will announce seven regional finalists from among this year’s Blue Ribbon Small Business Award winners on March 18 and honor all of this year’s winners at the 11th annual America’s Small Business Summit, taking place June 8–10 in Washington, D.C. During the summit, one regional finalist will receive the DREAM BIG Small Business of the
A complete list of this year’s Blue Ribbon Small Business Award winners is available here.
