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Emerging Leaders

As part of our continuing commitment to support our communities, River Valley Bank is again sponsoring the Emerging Leaders contest. We’re looking to find the UP small business that has had the most significant impact on the Upper Peninsula over the course of 2012 in any of the following areas:

· Economic impact / job growth
· Intellectual impact / new patents
· Entrepreneurial impact / innovative products or services
· Cultural impact
· Charitable impact
· Community service/support

The 2011 Emerging Leader was Java by the Bay in L'Anse (www.facebook.com/java.by.the.bay). Their contributions to their community were recognized by their loyal customers. They are a model of community support and an excellent example of what an Emerging Leader should be. They were recognized by River Valley Bank and received a $2500 gift certificate for advertising on WLUC TV6, FoxUP and UpperMichigansSource.com.
 
From January 10th through the 20th, we've collected nominations for the 2012 Emerging Leader. Thank you to the many people that provided nominations.  The finalists for the 2012 River Valley Bank Emerging Leaders are:
 
Bumbletown Breads and Bagels (www.facebook.com/BumbletownBreadsBagels?ref=ts&fref=ts) - Bakers of breads, bagels and pastries in Allouez, MI with LOTS of happy customers, always greeted with wonderful smells and smiles.  They deliver!

906 Technologies (www.906technologies.com/) - A technology company based in Marquette that has provided significant job growth over the past year while continuing to support the community in many charitable ways.  They are expanding nationwide!

R&R Tire Sales (www.randrtiresalesandservice.com/) - Ryan Mulder took a vacant building in Iron Mountain and turned it into growing enterprise that now employs 7 people.  He's already expanded into Escanaba and is looking to expand into other UP communities in the near future, providing jobs in those communities, as well.

Rick Holmes Enterprises (local Subway franchise owner) - Rick is the owner of 5 Subway restaurants in Marquette County (3 in Marquette, 1 in Negaunee and 1 in Gwinn).  Rick is passionate about Marquette County and it's people.  He's an active member of the Marquette Rotary and is directly involved in supporting it's initiatives, including the Walt Kyle Mile and Beacon House fundraisers.

Superior Lube in Houghton - Steve Erickson is a caring business owner that participates in community support efforts big and small, right down to shoveling the walks for those in need and posting support messages on his store's marquee.

We salute the finalists for their contributions to the Upper Peninsula.