Two Clark County businesses were recognized with the 2026 Wisconsin Business Achievement Award.
The award was created by the Flowers Family Foundation, started by Rockne and JoAnne Flowers, to recognize recipients for the positive impacts on the Wisconsin economy as well as their local communities.
The recognition comes with a plaque and a monetary award that the business gives to a charity of their choosing. One of the businesses recognized was Loos Machine & Automation in Colby.
They provide automation, engineering, machining, fabrication, process, and installation. They choose to provide their $75,000 award to Falcon Industries, a student-run production environment in Abbotsford and Colby that bridges technology, education, and business/marketing programs.
Colby Metal was also recognized with the award. Colby Metal is a comprehensive metal fabricator and metal manufacturing company specializing in products ranging from health care to agriculture equipment.
They choose to provide their $50,000 donation to Central Fire and EMS, which provides fire and EMS services to the Abbotsford/Colby/Dorchester areas.
Sheila Nyberg, Executive Director of the Clark County Economic Development Corporation was also recognized for her efforts in putting the awards luncheon together and working with the Flowers Foundation.
The Flowers Foundation has a strong connection to Clark County and the Neillsville area. Rockne Flowers was named the President of the Nelson Muffler Corporation in 1972.
Neillsville was selected by the Nelson Board of Directors as the site for Nelson Muffler’s first plant. This began in 1945-46. Stocks were sold to Neillsville area residents in 1957 to build an 18,000 square foot facility on Highway 10, which was completed and an open house was held in 1958.
Over the years, the company continued to expand and evolve, eventually becoming Nelson Muffler and Nelson Filter with several smaller operations located in small communities.
This continued until 1998 when Nelson was sold to Cummins Engine Company and the Neillsville factory closed in 2005. However, the family of Nelson Muffler founder, Edwin Bryant, continues to support the town by funding scholarships for Neillsville High School graduates.
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