Gov. Mike Braun presented the Governor’s Century or Half Century Business Award o 32 Hoosier businesses that have been supporting the state’s economy and communities for more than 100 and 50 years. Photo from Indiana Economic Development Corporation.

News Release

INDIANAPOLIS — Gov. Mike Braun welcomed representatives of Indiana’s entrepreneurial and small business community to the Indiana Statehouse, awarding the Governor’s Century and Half Century Business Award to 32 Hoosier businesses that have been supporting the state’s economy and communities for more than 100 and 50 years, respectively.

“As entrepreneurs ourselves, my wife Maureen and I understand the dedication and commitment needed to start and sustain a small business,” said Braun. “These Hoosier businesses and organizations have not only been pillars of their communities for 50 or 100 years, but they have demonstrated a remarkable commitment to creating a positive and lasting impact on their employees and their neighborhoods.”

The Governor’s Century and Half Century Business Awards honor Hoosier businesses and organizations that have remained in operation for a minimum of 100 or 50 consecutive years, respectively, and have demonstrated a commitment to community service. More than 1,280 Indiana companies have been recognized during the award’s 33-year history.

Century Award honorees include:

Elkhart Brass Manufacturing Company has been a cornerstone of American firefighting for more than 120 years and offers more than 2,000 high-performance products used by fire departments, industrial sites and military forces worldwide. The company, which is now a part of Clarience Technologies, continues to operate independently in Elkhart and remains committed to serve those who protect and respond.

Kercher’s Sunrise Orchards in Elkhart County has expanded from 40 acres to now more than 700 acres of farmland, growing super sweet corn, pumpkins, apples, cabbage, squash, peaches and a variety of other produce. The business has been operated by the Kercher family for more than 101 years, proudly providing fruits, vegetables and family-friendly activities to its community through six generations.

The Lerner Theatre originally opened in 1924 with Vaudeville acts and silent films playing to packed houses. The theatre, which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980, operated as a movie theater for nearly 80 years and was purchased in 1990 by the city of Elkhart. Since its renovation in 2008 and reopening in 2011, The Lerner has been a cornerstone for live entertainment and events and a source of civic pride for the Elkhart community.

Half Century Award honorees include:

LoveWay Inc. is a volunteer-driven, not-for-profit organization working to empower children with disabilities through compassionate, equine-assisted services. LoveWay was founded by Gary and Sandy Weatherwax in memory of their 16-year-old daughter who dreamed of starting her own therapeutic riding centers to help individuals like her father, who became paraplegic after a car accident. Today, the organization is the second-oldest equine center in the nation, serving 164 students weekly from 16 schools across Elkhart County at no cost to them.

Holbert Engineering Co. Inc. Provides tooling, fixturing and automation designs, focused on integrating turnkey solutions for industrial automation, integration and labor optimization. The company, which remains a family-owned business lead by the founder’s son, Jack Holbert, has grown over 60 years from a local design house in St. Joseph County to now serve customers across the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Europe.

“Indiana entrepreneurs are the backbone of the Hoosier economy, and celebrating these longstanding businesses that have been in operation for so many decades squarely aligns with Braun’s vision for economic development,” said Indiana Secretary of Commerce David Adams. “We’re incredibly grateful for their dedication to Indiana and look forward to supporting them for years to come.”

For a full list of awardees, click here.

To learn more about the many resources available to Indiana entrepreneurs and small businesses, visit iedc.in.gov/entrepreneurship.