VeSo Coffee, BVRMC Win Awards at 15th Iowa Lakes Corridor Luncheon

More than 330 community leaders packed the Clay County Regional Events Center as the Iowa Lakes Corridor handed out its 15th annual business recognition awards, spotlighting local employers, developers, and nonprofit partners that strengthen Buena Vista and neighboring counties.

The luncheon, held Jan. 28 in Spencer, drew the Corridor’s largest audience in the event’s history. "The Corridor says the annual awards are designed to celebrate businesses across Buena Vista, Clay, Dickinson, and Emmet counties that strengthen the region’s economy and community life, with nominations judged on commitment, impact, and growth," event coverage stated.

Buena Vista Regional Medical Center of Storm Lake took home the Large Business Excellence Award. Coverage identified Rob Colerick with BVRMC in event materials; organizers credited the hospital for its role in regional health services and community stability.

The Small Business Excellence Award went to VeSo Coffee of Storm Lake. The shop, owned by husband-and-wife team Adilene Soto and Ivan Velazquez, opened in December 2024 after the couple moved to Storm Lake from Arizona and personally renovated a historic downtown building at 512 N. Lake Ave. Since opening, VeSo has become known for coffee and crepes and for hosting cultural events and collaborations. Soto posted a social thank-you after the luncheon; coverage noted "Soto says the recognition belongs to more than just her family." Some outlets spelled the business name "Veso" in coverage; the shop’s social posts use the VeSo capitalization.

Other Corridor honors recognized a range of regional strengths. Entrepreneur of the Year went to Laura Bjornstad and Samantha Ray of Boathouse Apparel in Spirit Lake, cited for national growth and commitment to local artists. Andrew Geelen of Geelen Funeral Home in Spencer was named Young Professional of the Year for deep community roots and service-club leadership. Talon Development earned the Housing Champion award for adding over 550 units to the region, and First Children’s Finance received Partner of the Year for work addressing the childcare shortage in the Corridor. "It was an emotional afternoon as the Legacy Award was presented to the family of the late Toby Shine," coverage reported; Shine was remembered as a co-founder of the Corridor who worked behind the scenes to strengthen the region.

Corridor President and CEO Curt Strouth thanked outgoing board members Brad Beck, Keith Denner, and Jed Skogerboe while noting continued momentum in Northwest Iowa.

For Buena Vista County residents, the awards underscore several local trends: downtown reinvestment through small-business renovation, continued housing construction at scale, and targeted efforts to shore up childcare and workforce supports. VeSo’s plans to expand its menu and host more events point to ongoing retail activity downtown, while Talon Development’s projects and BVRMC’s recognition highlight capacity building in housing and health care. The Corridor’s awards session signals both recognition of recent gains and attention to what leaders say will keep the region competitive in the year ahead.