DGDC banquet honors Worrell Contracting, Ed Borden
By Ethan Smith
Published in News on September 24, 2017 1:45 AM
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News-Argus/ETHAN SMITH
The audience listens during the Downtown Goldsboro Development Corp.'s awards banquet Friday night.
Worrell Contracting Co., run by Goldsboro natives who chose to relocate their operation to the downtown area in July 2016, took home the title of Outstanding Business of the Year at Friday night's annual Downtown Goldsboro Development Corp. awards banquet.
Adrian and Selena Worrell said they were surprised to have won, but now planned on only working harder.
"We're very surprised," Selena said. "But it just makes us want to work harder and do the most that we can do for downtown Goldsboro."
They relocated their business to where The Little Bank used to be, at 201 N. Center St.
Selena said since the pair are from Goldsboro, they had witnessed "the good, the bad and the ugly" and wanted to be part of downtown when its revival began.
"We've always liked downtown and decided to put our business there," Adrian said.
Elizabeth Rutland and Julie Metz, both of the DGDC, noted the Worrell's heavy involvement in downtown events and fundraisers, as well as the big-name organizations and businesses the Worrell Contracting Co. works with -- the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, National Cemetery Administration and Department of Veterans Services to name a few.
The DGDC gave out another prestigious award -- the Lifetime Achievement Award.
This honor went to Ed Borden -- a man whose family many say helped build Goldsboro, and whose family business -- Borden Manufacturing -- was at one time the largest private employer in the city.
Several people paid tribute to Borden with speeches listing off his accomplishments and his tremendous efforts in various areas and projects of the city.
When the community building on East Walnut Street was destroyed, Borden was responsible for bringing the Wayne County Veterans Memorial to life on the ground of the old building.
Metz said Borden has supported many milestone projects in downtown and donated funds anonymously to the DGDC for many years.
Metz said her favorite characteristic of Borden's is the boyish, mischievous twinkle in his eye he's kept all these years.
Many other awards were given out on the night. Nominees were named in June, and the winners were picked in July. They are as follows:
* Best Curb Appeal: Skin Therapy by Beth.
* Best Promotional or Marketing Effort: Pink Piggy Sweets.
* Best New Business: Goldsboro Brew Works.
* Indicator of the Year: Goldsboro Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics.
* The Thank You Award: Juanita Mansour and Nita Mosure, for the donation of 130 E. Walnut St. to the DGDC two years ago, and the cast and crew of the "Father of the Bride."
* The Mary Johnstone Award of Merit for Historic Preservation: Blue Yonder Properties.
* DGDC Volunteer of the Year: Amy Bauer.
* Design Improvement of the Year: Rick Sumner for 103 W. Chestnut St. and Green Thumb Florist.
* DGDC Advocate of the Year: Dustin Pike.
* DGDC Board Member of the Year: Tonya Barber.
* Outstanding Investor: Mike and Christie Wiggins.
* Most Valuable Supporter: The Elk's Lodge; Jernigan Furniture.