Development Workshop gives out awards

Thursday was the 44th annual awards banquet for the Development Workshop in Idaho Falls. Hundreds of people came from around the area, including from Salmon and Blackfoot. Businesses and individuals are awarded for hiring and mentoring people with disabilities or special needs.

“This is about celebrating our successes at Development Workshop and the successes of the individuals that have blessed us with the opportunity to work with them. And so it really is just a chance to take a time out once a year, celebrate all the accomplishments that all the individuals have made and that’s what makes Development Workshop work. Because we’re about people,” said President and CEO, Mike O’Bleness.

Tim Harris was the keynote speaker. He owns his own restaurant in Albuquerque, New Mexico, called “Tim’s Place.” His restaurant opened in 2010 and is deemed the “World’s Friendliest Restaurant.”

“I would tell them, that has a dream, to dream big and live independent because they’re awesome,” said Harris

Eyewitness News anchor Todd Kunz was the master of ceremonies.