Sioux Falls Business Journal

The entire list of the 2007-08 Readers Choice Award winners is printed on the adjacent page, and let me first say thanks to those who participated. And congratulations to those who won.

This year, more than 850 visits were logged to the contest’s Web page. That’s an incredible response.

It’s safe to assume that the volume of visitors, in many regards, is a marker of the intense interest that exists in Sioux Falls about all things business.

And of those who visited the contest’s Web page, 357 people completed their ballots. That, too, is really exciting to see.

Of course, we want to continue improving the contest. So if you have suggestions about what we should change, feel free to let me know.

We especially would benefit from hearing from those who visited the Web page but decided against completing a ballot.

You most certainly have some good insights. To offer your feedback, just e-mail me at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

And to those who may be unfamiliar with the awards, the contest is simple. Participants complete a fill-in-the-blank survey of their favorite people and companies in 86 business categories. For a person’s ballot to be valid, the participant must fill out responses in at least 35 categories.

This year, several categories drew a large amount of responses. In addition, some winners are repeaters from previous years. Of course, some are first-time winners. And still others won multiple awards within a single year.

Regardless, all the winners share a nod from Business Journal readers as Sioux Falls’ best.

For that, each of the winners deserves much applause. So again, congratulations.

Speaking of contests ...

I’m not sure yet which name I’m voting for, but the options sound good.

For several months now, a group called the Mayor’s Neighborhood Conservation Area Committee has been developing strategies to revitalize an area between Minnesota and Grange avenues from 10th to 18th streets.

One of its projects is a contest to give the neighborhood a new name.

Based on the area’s history, geography and once-prominent residents, the group has developed a Top 10 list of names, which were presented recently to Mayor Dave Munson and the City Council.

With the mayor’s approval, the group plans to launch the contest in a few weeks using the city’s Web site and offices, neighborhood businesses and other locations as polling sites.

Stay tuned for more contest details as they unfold, but here are the names, based on various attributes, that’ll be on the ballot:

• Geography: Central Heights and Hillcrest.
• Age: Heritage Heights, Historic Avenues District, Historic Heights and Old Town.
• History and residents: Irving Heights, Prospect Heights, Pettigrew Heights and Fawick Heights

I once advocated for Old Town, but that was before I read the committee’s research and learned more about the area’s history.

Now, I’ll have to mull over each choice a little longer.

I do know this, though. Whatever name is picked, it’ll be good to hear it spoken, read in print and used throughout the city. Hopefully, that’ll at least help foster growing respect and pride.