Photo by Skip Lawrence The Frederick County Business Development Advisory Council and Frederick County Office of Economic Development presented awards to three businesses Wednesday night for their creativity in business achievements and enhancing the quality of the community. From left are Laurie Boyer, director, Office of Economic Development; Jay and Jacki Givens, Givens Collision Repair Center; Michael Romano and Linda Norris, Canam Steel; Evans Anderson, Leesa Hopkins and Janis Cadle, Widearea Systems; and Frederick County Commissioner Jan Gardner.

The Frederick County Business Development Advisory Council and the county Office of Economic Development hosted the event. It included a reception for businesses, and allowed networking opportunities among business, elected officials and guests.

"We are fortunate to be part of a business community that does so much for the quality of life in the county," said Frank Blanchard, director of public affairs at SAIC-Frederick , the platinum sponsor for the event.

Laurie Boyer, director of the county's economic office, presented awards to Canam Steel, Givens Collision Repair Center and Widearea Systems Inc.

Canam Steel, located in Point of Rocks , is a leading manufacturer of large steel components for bridges and buildings. The firm received the Creative Business Planning Award for expanding its work line to meet future needs in its industry. The company has about 270 employees and its components have been used in projects around the country.

Givens Collision Repair Center was presented the Creative Green Stewardship Firm Award for using environmentally friendly design in its new building.

The owners, Jay and Jacki Givens, included Bay Saver filter systems, water-based paint and extensive recycling at the company.

The building uses natural lighting and blends customer service and convenience with ecological responsibility.

Widearea Systems, which provides the latest in communications technologies for clients, received the Creative Workforce Support Firm Award.

The company not only emphasizes diversity in its workforce, hires employees who have only basic skills and trains them in the advanced techniques used at the company.

Widearea Systems is a recent graduate of the Frederick Innovative Technology Center Inc., an incubator for start-up research and development firms.

Mike Dailey, executive director of FITCI, joined Boyer in presenting the award to Widearea Systems.

"There are many other companies in Frederick County that should be commended and honored," Boyer said. "We wanted to recognize and highlight Frederick County companies that have employed creativity within their organization so that they may embrace the future in a positive, progressive and sustainable manner."