(from left): J.R. Robl of the Kansas Department of Commerce; Ernie Straub III, Straub Construction president; Parker Young, Jr., Straub Construction executive vice president and COO; and Jim Martin, Shawnee Economic Development Council’s executive director.

Shawnee, Kan., July 21, 2010 – The Kansas Department of Commerce named Straub Construction Company the state’s East Central Regional Business Excellence Award winner. The award is part of Business Appreciation Month, the Department’s annual celebration of Kansas businesses for their contributions to their communities and the state economy. Straub Construction was recognized yesterday at a Business Appreciation Luncheon hosted by the Shawnee Economic Development Council (EDC).

Straub Construction, currently celebrating their 90^th anniversary, is a general contractor based in Shawnee. Their award-winning projects include new construction, renovation and historic renovation of commercial, multi-family, institutional, recreational and healthcare facilities.

Presenting the award to Straub Construction was Tom Langhofer, chair of the Shawnee EDC’s Executive Committee and J.R. Robl, regional project manager for the Kansas Department of Commerce.

“Kansas businesses are the backbone of our economy and our quality of life,” said Robl. “Business Appreciation Month is our way of thanking these great Kansas businesses for all they do to keep our state strong.”

This year Straub Construction has earned other awards for exceeding industry standards, customer expectations, corporate culture, and community support. Among the awards are being named the “2010 Small Business of the Year” by the Kansas City Kansas Chamber of Commerce; a “2010 Top 10 Small Business” by the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce; and is currently a “2010 Top Ten Companies” award winner presented by KC Business Magazine.

“We are very pleased to be recognized by the State of Kansas.  For 90 years Straub Construction primarily worked in the Kansas City metro area,” said Straub. “Today, our company strategically builds projects across the state, including Goddard, Salina, and Hiawatha. We have teamed up with numerous subcontractors local to those respective areas. Straub Construction is especially proud of recently completing Salina’s Kenwood Cove, the state’s largest municipally-owned water park.”

“Economic growth, sound and welcoming business policy are the keys to prosperity of all Kansans,” added Straub.

The Department of Commerce Award presented 26 Regional Business Excellence Award winners and 105 Merit Award winners. Each of the 131 business was nominated in one of four categories: Manufacturing/Distribution, Service, Retail and Hospital/Non-Profit.

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Straub Construction is a general contractor in Kansas City focused on a diverse scale of multifamily, commercial, institutional, religious and historic renovation construction. Our capabilities include a full range of construction management services.  For further information, visit www.straubconstruction.com or contact (913) 451-8828 or info@straubconstruction.com. 

 For more information, visit KansasCommerce.com or contact Public Information Officer Joe Monaco at (785) 296-3760 or jmonaco@kansascommerce.com.