THE RECIPIENT of the Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership’s 2015 Project of the Year Award, sponsored by Consumers Energy, was Wheeler Trucking of Hazelton Township. SEDP President/CEO Justin Horvath, (far right), presented the award to the company along with the following officials: (left to right) Brian Drexler/Wheeler Trucking Operation Manager, Doug Kelley/Wheeler Chief Financial Officer, Owosso Mayor Ben Frederick, Shiawassee County Commissioner John Horvath, President/Owner of Wheeler Trucking Rex Wheeler, Shiawassee County Commissioner Gary Holzhausen, District State Representative Ben Glardon, Margeaux Stephens/Business Account Manager at Consumers Energy, Chris Thelen of Consumers Energy, and Horvath. (Independent Photo/Elizabeth Wehman)
By Elizabeth Wehman, editor
Wheeler Trucking, a truck hauler located in Hazelton Township (New Lothrop) is the recipient of the Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership (SEDP)’s 2015 Project of the Year award, sponsored by Consumers Energy. SEPD President/CEO Justin Horvath presented the award to the company on Monday, Feb. 8. Horvath had this to say while presenting the award, “Wheeler Trucking has made the greatest impact out of 22 other business projects in the county, Wheeler Trucking being the most significant project.”
The company, which currently has 136 employees, has plans to grow to 350 people, and is working on building a new 30,000 square foot corporate headquarters in the township to accommodate their expansion.
“We are excited to be investing and growing quality jobs right here in Hazelton Township (New Lothrop) and Shiawassee County, with this headquarters providing a home for our hard-working employees and it will also help keep our trucks running in top condition,” said company owner Rex Wheeler.
The business worked closely with State Senator Rick Jones and State Representative Ben Glardon on passing key truck length legislation which allowed the facility project to move forward. At the presentation, Glardon acknowledged the presentation and thanked the company for their community investment and to the state of Michigan. He wished them “good luck.”
“Wheeler Trucking is one of our fastest growing, most successful companies in Shiawassee County, and Rex and his team are great people to work with,” added Horvath. “We are also very appreciative of Senator Jones, Representative Glardon and everyone involved in getting statewide support for modifying a law that helps encourage the growth of not only Wheeler, but also other truck haulers in Michigan,” Horvath added.
The Project of the Year serves to recognize a new or expanding business in Shiawassee County that creates a significant positive impact on the local economy. Representatives from Consumers Energy and the SEDP made the selection from multiple candidates. Wheeler Trucking will also be honored during a presentation at the SEDP annual meeting, to be held Thursday, March 3 at the D’Mar Banquet and Conference Center in Owosso.
