Monday, October 13, 2008

GOV. RITTER CONGRATULATES NEW BELGIUM BREWERY FOR 'TOP SMALL WORKPLACE' HONOR


 
FORT COLLINS ― Gov. Bill Ritter today congratulated New Belgium Brewery of Fort Collins for being named one of the country's 15 best "Top Small Workplaces" by the Wall Street Journal and Winning Workplaces.
 
"From its first day of operations in 1991, the New Belgium Brewery has demonstrated a very clear vision about environmental sustainability," Gov. Ritter said. "Seventeen years later, the company is now a remarkably successful business enterprise and is one of the pillars of Colorado's New Energy Economy. Congratulations to everyone at New Belgium Brewery."
 
Gov. Ritter helped announce the award during a visit to the brewery this morning. Gov. Ritter first visited the 320-employee brewer of the popular Fat Tire Beer and other brands during his 2006 campaign for governor during a New Energy Economy tour. And earlier this year, during his January State of the State Address, Gov. Ritter named New Belgium Brewery as one of the first recipients of the Governor's Excellence in Renewable Energy Awards.   
 
The Wall Street Journal and Winning Workplaces selected the 15 "Top Small Workplaces" from among 406 applicants and 35 finalists.Contest judges had this to say about New Belgium:
 
New Belgium Brewing, the third-largest craft brewery in the country, demonstrates "an unprecedented commitment to environmental stewardship. … New Belgium has evolved into a national icon for unwavering dedication to quality product and responsible business. … Before 'green' was hip and their efforts were the focus of media attention, the business was working to reflect its values and support its associates, quietly rolling up sales while offering staff a workplace in which their personal beliefs were affirmed. As one advisor notes, 'They're a model organization on how to treat people, community and the planet.'"