Released on February 23, 2009

Sand caster Superior Aluminum Castings Inc., Independence, Mo., was among companies recently recognized for job creation and/or capital investment by the Independence Council for Economic Development.

The council announced the awards, established in 2007 to honor companies that have created a minimum of two new jobs and/or allocated $25,000 to new capital investment in the previous year, at its second annual “Salute to Industry” luncheon and Impact Awards at the Hilton Garden Inn in Independence.

“Recognizing the companies that have contributed to the success and growth of Independence is a priority, particularly in these economic times,” said Tom Lesnak, the council’s president. “These are the companies that have defined the national news reports and stayed strong and contributed to the growth and strength of Independence.”

Twenty three Independence companies received the 2008 awards, sponsored by Stewardship Capital and presented by the council’s Chairman Bill Moore, Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders and Independence Deputy Mayor Jim Page. The companies added 840 total jobs in 2008 and as a group employ just more than 8,000 in Independence.  

Additional award recipients were AZ Manufacturing & Sales, Alliant Techsystems Inc., Burd & Fletcher, Centerpoint Medical Center, Comprehensive Mental Health Services Inc., Corporate CopyPrint Inc., Discover Vision Centers, Farmland Foods, 1st Mid America Credit Union, Furniture R & R, HEMCO Corp., Hy-Vee Inc., Independence School District, L & L Manufacturing, Lake City Business Center, Landmark Dodge Chrysler Jeep, Legendary Stone LLC, MAST Technology Inc., Mid-Continent Public Library’s Midwest Genealogy Center, Philadelphia Insurance Companies, Pride Machinery Inc. and Shawhan Sheet Metal.