Winter Business Awards Return for Third Year

Nov. 25, 2024 — Shoveling sidewalks outside merchant doorways and looking festive for the holidays is good for business. In Mandan, it could also mean winning awards again this winter.

City leaders are offering opportunities for businesses to win two types of awards, one for being best at clearing snow and another for businesses and commercial property owners who decorate their buildings. Winners will be able to display the traveling awards and receive a special business feature on Made in Mandan social media.

The goal of these contests is to improve Mandan’s sparkle, accessibility and pedestrian-friendliness during the cold season.

Winter Decorating Award. Businesses and commercial property owners are encouraged to decorate their building exteriors and interior spaces visible from the outside (storefronts, windows, parking lots, etc.) and keep them decorated through the month of January. Decorating can be lit or unlit, festive, fun or elegant. Nominations will be accepted through Dec. 31, with public voting to occur in January.

Golden Shovel Award. The business voted to be keeping adjacent sidewalks clear of snow and ice will win Mandan’s golden shovel traveling award. Nominees will be welcomed through Feb. 1, 2025, with public voting to occur the following month. Local ordinance requires property owners to clean sidewalks of snow and ice within 24 hours of accumulation. Failure to do so can result in the City hiring a contractor for the job and billing the cost to the property owner. The minimum fee is $50 per occurrence plus the cost of services.

Nominations for Mandan’s winter awards are welcomed through an online form available at cityofmandan.com/winterawards. Stay tuned for an announcement of finalists later this winter and for public voting. Winners will be recognized at meetings of the Mandan City Commission in 2025.