Ormat Technologies honored as 'business of the year'

Ormat Technologies, Inc.,will be recognized as the "Distinguished Business of the Year" at the 21st Annual Governor's Industry Appreciation Awards,Nov.

8 at the Reno Hilton.

It's one of 27 companies that have moved to or expanded in northern Nevada that will be honored for contributing to the regional economy.

Sparks-based Ormat is the third largest geothermal power plant operator in the United States and supplies geothermal technology and equipment worldwide.

Since moving its corporate headquarters from the East Coast to Sparks in 1984, Ormat has increased its geothermal operations from a one-megawatt installation in Lyon County to more than 750 megawatts in 21 countries.

It owns six major U.S.

geothermal power plant facilities totaling 290 megawatts.

The company's growth has come as it has acquired and upgraded existing geothermal power plants in Nevada, California and Hawaii.

Along with its geothermal power plants in northern Nevada, Ormat is collaborating with the University of Nevada, Reno to develop a geothermal and renewable energy laboratory and educational center at the new Redfield Campus at the south edge of Reno.

Ormat employs more than 200,with 70 technical and professional employees in Nevada.

Other companies being recognized as new to the region or for recent expansion include Aleph America Corporation, Alere Medical, Inc.,American Wick Drain Corporation, Aramark Uniform and Career Apparel, Biodiesel Solutions, Inc., Carlisle FoodService Products, Display Specialities, EE Technologies, Inc., FedEx Ground,Hopkins Distribution Company, Inter-Tel, Inc., ITS Logistics, Kimmie Candy Company,Momar Industries, Inc.,Newmont Mining Corporation-Leeville Mine, Priority Wire and Cable, Prototype Concepts, Inc., Reva International, Ltd., Robinson Nevada Mining Company, Skagen Designs, Ltd., Starbucks Manufacturing Corporation, Tuff Shed, Inc., Turquoise Ridge Joint Venture,Vitamin Research Products,Western 102 and Western Servo Design, Inc.

Joel Kotkin, author of a recent Inc.

magazine article ranking Reno the No.

1 place to do business in the nation,will speak at the Governor's Industry Appreciation Awards about how northern Nevada maintains its favorable business climate and quality of life.

Kotkin's articles have appeared in The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal.

The Governor's Industry Appreciation Awards is co-hosted by the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada and the Northern Nevada Development Authority in cooperation with the Nevada Commission on Economic Development.

The event begins at 5:30 p.m.with a nohost reception followed by the program and dinner at 6:45 p.m.

Tickets are $125 per person or $1,250 for a table of 10.

For tickets, call Gayla Williams at 829-3700 or Sharon Boos at 883-4413.