2024 Best of Business

Best of Northwest Indiana Business and Michiana Business Awards

Our 2024 Best of Business Awards winners faced significant obstacles last year, but continued to serve customers and clients with grace and tenacity.

Companies and organizations that thrived in 2023 embraced those challenges, and focused on their employees and customers.

“Working with our clients through current economic challenges was especially important in 2023,” said Rita Bacevich, president of HDW Commercial Interiors.

Seth Spencer, owner of Sera Group, said staying proactive helped his company continue offering high-quality service.

“One of the most challenging obstacles we faced was navigating economic uncertainties and rising inflation,” he said.

Our readers noticed hard work like this and rewarded winners with a Best of Business honor. Voting was up by 33% from 2023, due in part to a new website dedicated to our readers’ survey.

“What makes this even more significant is that these votes come directly from the greater Northwest Indiana and Michiana community,” IUN Chancellor Ken Iwama said.

Our 19th online awards honor winners in seven distinct categories in these two regions.

“Franciscan Health is honored to be recognized,” said a statement from the health system. “… Knowing these awards are the result of online votes by the public at large is humbling.”

Our winners excelled at providing many services and products to the more than 1.3 million people who call the Region home. They also are committed to their communities.

“Our team of advisers go beyond ordinary banking by exceeding our customer’s expectations, and helping our community become a better place to live through volunteerism,” said Steve Kring, regional president at Horizon Bank.

Centier Bank’s CEO Mike Schrage also is committed to the Region’s economic future.

“The most rewarding opportunity in 2023 was laying the foundation for continued investment and growth in Indiana,” he said.

Part of that success will include hiring, training and retaining new talent.

“One of our highest priorities at BCC is nurturing the next generation of lawyers,” said Tory Prasco, managing partner at Burke Costanza & Carberry LLP.

As for 2024, business leaders say they are embracing new technology and focused on becoming the best option for their customers.

CEO Andrea Short of 1st Source Bank said it best: “Thank you to everyone who voted for us!”

We also thank readers who voted this year!

— Heather Pfundstein, publisher/executive editor

Congratulations to the winners!

Banking and Financial

Best bank for business

Northwest Indiana

Winner : Horizon Bank

Michiana

Winner : 1st Source Bank

Best bank for customer service

Northwest Indiana

Winner : Horizon Bank

Michiana

Winner : 1st Source Bank

Best institution for obtaining a business loan

Northwest Indiana

Winner : Horizon Bank

Michiana

Winner : 1st Source Bank

Best credit union

Northwest Indiana

Winner : Tech Credit Union

Michiana

Winner : Notre Dame Federal Credit Union

Best accounting firm

Northwest Indiana

Winner : McMahon & Associates CPAs P.C.

Michiana

Winner : Kruggel Lawton CPAs

Best wealth management advisory firm

Northwest Indiana

Winner : Horizon Bank

Michiana

Winner : 1st Source Bank

Best business investment firm

Northwest Indiana

Winner : Centier Bank

Michiana

Winner : Calder Capital

Business Services

Best place to purchase office furniture

Northwest Indiana

Winner : HDW Commercial Interiors

Michiana

Winner : HDW Commercial Interiors

Best place to purchase office equipment/supplies

Northwest Indiana

Winner : Pulse Technology

Michiana

Winner : US Business Systems

Best information technology consulting firm

Northwest Indiana

Winner : Midwest Telecom of America

Michiana

Winner : US Business Systems

Best ad agency or marketing firm

Northwest Indiana

Winner : Sera Group

Michiana

Winner : Sera Group

Best graphic or web design firm

Northwest Indiana

Winner : Sera Group

Michiana

Winner : Sera Group

Best commercial printer

Northwest Indiana

Winner : Miss Print

Michiana

Winner : Miss Print

Best employee staffing firm

Northwest Indiana

Winner : Staff Source

Michiana

Winner : TalentSource

Best telecommunications firm

Northwest Indiana

Winner : Midwest Telecom of America

Michiana

Winner : Surf Internet

Best internet provider

Northwest Indiana

Winner : Midwest Telecom of America

Michiana

Winner : Surf Internet

Community and Education

Best company to work for

Northwest Indiana

Winner : Urschel Laboratories Inc.

Michiana

Winner : Centier Bank

Best university to attain an MBA

Northwest Indiana

Winner : Valparaiso University

Michiana

Winner : Indiana University Northwest

Best university
for a technology degree

Northwest Indiana

Winner : Indiana University Northwest

Michiana

Winner : Indiana University Northwest

Best university online degree program

Northwest Indiana

Winner : Indiana University Northwest

Michiana

Winner : Indiana University Northwest

Best minority owned business

Northwest Indiana

Winner : 18th Street Brewery

Michiana

Winner : Visions GPS Branding

Best veteran owned business

Northwest Indiana

Winner : Veterans’ Cafe & Catering

Michiana

Winner : Cloudbusters

Best woman owned business

Northwest Indiana

Winner : Staff Source

Michiana

Winner : HDW Commercial Interiors

Construction / Real Estate

Best commercial real estate firm

Northwest Indiana

Winner : Latitude Commercial

Michiana

Winner : Commercial In-Sites

Best commercial construction firm for new construction

Northwest Indiana

Winner : Larson-Danielson Construction

Michiana

Winner : Larson-Danielson Construction

Best commercial construction firm for remodeling or expansion

Northwest Indiana

Winner : Michuda Construction

Michiana

Winner : Larson-Danielson Construction

Best engineering firm

Northwest Indiana

Winner : Superior Engineering LLC

Michiana

Winner : Jones Petrie Rafinski

Best commercial architectural design firm

Northwest Indiana

Winner : Facet Architecture

Michiana

Winner : Facet Architecture

Best commercial landscaping firm

Northwest Indiana

Winner : Dean’s Pools & Landscaping

Michiana

Winner : Lakeshore Landscaping

Best residential real-estate firm

Northwest Indiana

Winner : McColly Real Estate

Michiana

Winner : Cressy & Everett Real Estate

Best residential home construction firm

Northwest Indiana

Winner : Homes of Distinction

Michiana

Winner : Clayton Hoover and Sons

Best residential home remodeling construction firm

Northwest Indiana

Winner : Affordable Remodelers

Michiana

Winner : Andree Builders Inc

Events and Entertainment

Best restaurant for business entertaining

Northwest Indiana

Winner : Gamba Ristorante

Michiana

Winner : Cafe Navarre

Best meeting site for large groups

Northwest Indiana

Winner : Avalon Manor Banquet Center

Michiana

Winner : Blue Chip Casino, Hotel & Spa

Best meeting site for small groups

Northwest Indiana

Winner : Teibel’s Restaurant

Michiana

Winner : Howard Park

Best caterer for events

Northwest Indiana

Winner : Avalon Manor Banquet Center

Michiana

Winner : Scoops & Smiles

Best golf course for charitable or business events

Northwest Indiana

Winner : Innsbrook Country Club

Michiana

Winner : Blackthorn Golf Club

Best photographer for events

Northwest Indiana

Winner : Bella Photography & Design

Michiana

Winner : Peter Ringenberg Photography

Health and Wellness

Best hospital or hospital group

Northwest Indiana

Winner : Franciscan Health

Michiana

Winner : Franciscan Health

Best healthcare facility for cardiology

Northwest Indiana

Winner : Franciscan Health

Michiana

Winner : Franciscan Health

Best health care facility for cancer treatments

Northwest Indiana

Winner : Franciscan Health

Michiana

Winner : Franciscan Health

Best healthcare facility for orthopedics

Northwest Indiana

Winner : Franciscan Health

Michiana

Winner : Franciscan Health

Best healthcare facility for mental health

Northwest Indiana

Winner : Franciscan Health

Michiana

Winner : Franciscan Health

Best health care facility for urgent or immediate care

Northwest Indiana

Winner : Franciscan Health

Michiana

Winner : Franciscan Health

Best health care facility for physical or occupational therapy

Northwest Indiana

Winner : Franciscan Health

Michiana

Winner : Franciscan Health

Best fitness or wellness facility

Northwest Indiana

Winner : Franciscan Health Fitness Centers

Michiana

Winner : Franciscan Health Fitness Centers

Legal and Insurance

Best law firm for corporate law

Northwest Indiana

Winner : Burke Costanza & Carberry LLP

Michiana

Winner : THK Law, LLP

Best law firm for business acquisitions and mergers

Northwest Indiana

Winner : Burke Costanza & Carberry LLP

Michiana

Winner : THK Law, LLP

Best law firm for litigation

Northwest Indiana

Winner : Burke Costanza & Carberry LLP

Michiana

Winner : THK Law, LLP

Best law firm for estate-planning

Northwest Indiana

Winner : Burke Costanza & Carberry LLP

Michiana

Winner : Resolution Law

Best insurance agency for business property and liability coverage

Northwest Indiana

Winner : 1st Source Insurance

Michiana

Winner : 1st Source Insurance

Best insurance agency for business health and life coverage

Northwest Indiana

Winner : 1st Source Insurance

Michiana

Winner : 1st Source Insurance

Winning remarks

“Understanding the importance of giving back, we aimed to make a significant difference (during the first Horizon Day of Giving).”
— Steve Kring, Horizon Bank

“We have long since believed that if we don’t obsolete our own equipment, our competitors will gladly do it for us.”
— Rick Urschel, Urschel Laboratories Inc.

“Franciscan Health continues to embrace a regional approach to health care, which optimizes facilities and resources to improve the level of care for all of NWI.”
— Dean Mazzoni, Franciscan Health

“In 2023, we found exceptional young attorneys and promising law school students who we are excited to be working at BCC.”
— Tory Prasco, Burke Costanza & Carberry

“We are grateful that our associates, clients and communities never wavered in their trust to us … and their loyalty is something we take great pride in.”
— Mike Schrage, Centier Bank

“By being ahead of the curve in implementing AI technologies, we created efficiencies that offset rising costs.”
— Seth Spencer, Sera Group

“1st Source Bank responded to each challenge by focusing on our mission of helping our clients achieve security, build wealth and realize their dreams.”
— Andrea Short, 1st Source Bank

“Our goal is to provide spaces that are functional and affordable while still hitting the mark with respect to deadlines and an overall look.”
— Rita Bacevich, HDW Commercial Interiors

“We strive to be an engaged and collaborative community partner, and I’m thankful … the community views us as a university which does just that.”
— Ken Iwama, IU Northwest

“We are thankful for the hard work of all of our dedicated staff members who … continue to contribute to our successes.”
— Dr. Daniel McCormick, Franciscan Health Crown Point

“Our remodeled flagship office in Crown Point has provided a more efficient and comfortable space in which our members can conduct business.”
— Gene Novello, Tech Credit Union

“We are proud of the recent rankings of our MBA program, which stands out in a highly competitive graduate space in the Region.”
— Niclas Erhardt, College of Business Valparaiso University

“One of the biggest challenges we faced in 2023 was dealing with a high demand for construction services — a positive (one).”
— Nick Larson, Larson-Danielson Construction

“This award validates our commitment to assisting buyers and sellers of businesses within the Michiana region and positively impacting the local economy and community.”
— Max Friar, Calder Capital

Learn more about Northwest Indiana's Best of Business process here . Find links to the winning businesses and organizations on our Best of Business Awards page .

(Illustration credit: klyaksun stock.adobe.com)

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