Published: February 07, 2008 09:54 am         

2007’s best

Businesses honored at luncheon

Phil Riddle

editor@weatherforddemocrat.com

With State Rep. Phil King touting the strength of the Texas economy as the backdrop, Weatherford Economic Development Authority and Weatherford Chamber of Commerce combined to honor area business people at the annual Industrial/Manufacturer’s Luncheon Wednesday.

“Weatherford and Parker County are the best places in Texas to live, I think,” King told a packed Heritage Hall at the Doss Heritage and Culture Center. “And it’s because of the entrepreneurship and work ethic represented in this room.”

Three local firms were honored as businesses of the year. Calvin Allen Saddlery won the Small Business of the Year, LaFleur Petroleum Services was named Middle-Size Business of the Year, and Heritage Plastics earned Large Business of the Year honors.

Each winner was awarded a plaque noting the honor in a presentation emceed by EDA Executive Director Dennis Clayton.

The District 61 Republican from Weatherford cited statistics detailing Texas’ business strength in his keynote address.

“Texas is growing at the rate of 1,360 people per day,” he said. “That puts us, here in Parker County, in the fourth largest metropolitan area in the country.”

King said the state’s healthy economy competes on a global scale.

“If Texas were its own country, like many of us think it should be,” he joked, “we would enjoy the seventh largest economy in the world.”

He also added the state’s business climate is, in large part, due to those honored at Wednesday’s luncheon.

“I am grateful for what you mean to the community — good jobs and good services — and your giving back to the community.”

     

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