RUSSELLVILLE Capital investment and employment increases by companies in Logan County garnered awards Thursday evening at the Logan County Economic Development Commission Industry Appreciation Dinner. Were very happy to have industry and service businesses that do exist, said Randy Fuqua, first vice president of the commission. Thank you for everything youve done for Logan County in 2003 and 2004. Fuqua spoke to the packed house of 130 gathered at the Logan County Country Club. Guest speaker J.R. Wilhite, commissioner of the Department of Community Development, Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, commended the county for celebrating its local successes, one of six characteristics of communities fertile for economic development. Crystal Flame awards, presented by Logans EDC, were given to companies that had excelled in the past year. In the manufacturing sector, Emerson Electric Co. was recognized for its largest capital investment in the county, while Carpenter Co. received the award for an increase of 75 employees in 2003.In the service sector, Pro-Tec won the award for both the largest investment made in the past year and the largest increase of employees. Carpenter Co., J.S. Technos Corp., Logan Aluminum, Sensus Precision Diecasting Co. (formerly Invensys) and Ventra Plastics also were recognized for investment in the past year. Build Right Transmission Service, Emerson Electric Co., Sensus and Ventra Plastics were recognized for increases in employment. Wilhite said that good communities for economic development continually build new leadership. Such communities look 10 to 20 years down the road for continued development into the future. Celebrating local successes marked another factor of such a community. A majority, or 60 percent, of economic development comes from existing businesses through growth. He also said good communities listen to business and figure out who makes the decisions in a company and how that company judges success. They take care of the most valuable asset for local economics the labor pool. Work force labor (is the) most important factor in discussions to locate and stay, Wilhite said. Wilhite promotes the value of first impression of a community, recommending outside feedback on a communitys visual strengths as well as input on things it could improve. Successful communities also recognize that partnering with others is not a sign of weakness, Wilhite said. As government, we have more artificial boundaries than (we) have time to pay attention to. In western Kentucky, business parks are being developed by multi-county coalitions. The Logan EDC also recognized development supporters at the dinner. The 2003 Educators Award went to Logan Co. Adult Education and Workforce Training and to Russellville Area Technology Center. The 2003 Administrative Assistant Award was presented to West Kentucky Corp. The 2003 Corporate Citizen Award went to E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation and the Carpenter Co.Brett Guthrie, a Republican state senator for Warren County and previously Logan County, received the 2003 Legislator Award.