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)
Read more stories from the current issue of Northwest Indiana Business Magazine.
