WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) -- Nine Kansas businesses and entrepreneurs have earned a special award over hundreds of other companies and organizations in the state. They have received a 2024 To The Stars: Kansas Business Award and one received the 2024 Governor's Award of Excellence. The Kansas Department of Commerce received nominations for more than 340 businesses, organizations, and individuals in nine categories. The nominees were then scored in several areas, such as employee recruitment and retention practices, training and educational programs, business expansion, capital investment, and support of community events. The nine winners are: Nu Life Market, Scott City - Agribusiness Award (companies that stand out in the agribusiness industry – including agricultural production, products and services, and agri-tourism) Midwest Energy, Hays — Apprenticeship Champions and Partners Award (companies and other entities that excel in providing registered apprenticeship programs in Kansas) Hydrograph Clean Power, Manhattan — Business Innovation Award (companies from any sector incorporating innovative technologies in their business) Community Foundation of Dickinson County, Abilene — Health Care/Nonprofit Award (noteworthy services provided by either health care facilities or nonprofit organizations) DaVinci Roofscapes, Lenexa — Manufacturing/Distribution Award (outstanding achievement for companies large and small involved in manufacturing and distribution) Goodwill Industries of Kansas, Wichita — Non-Traditional Talent Pools Award (companies that have gone above and beyond to hire those with prior involvement in the justice system, youth, seniors or individuals with disabilities) Arthur’s Pizza and Mexican Foods, Ellis — Retail/Service Award (exceptional performance by businesses selling goods, products and/or services) Ellie Bowman, Prickly Pear Farm & Home, Kinsley — Under 30 Entrepreneur Award (young entrepreneurs achieving business success under the age of 30) Julie Lyon, The Cannonball Extended Stay Accommodations, Kingman — Welcome Back Award (entrepreneurs and businesspeople who once left Kansas but have returned to make their mark in the Sunflower State) Casino workers push for smoking ban in Kansas During Thursday's awards ceremony in Great Bend, Nu Life Market was also given the 2024 Governor’s Award of Excellence. The business is the largest grain sorghum milling food processing company in the U.S. and a leader in regenerative agriculture and utilizing sustainable sorghum. Its environmentally friendly sorghum helps reduce water usage and CO₂ emissions. The 2024 Governor's Exporter of the Year Award went to KSi Conveyors in Sabetha. The company was founded nearly 25 years ago. It developed and patented a cleated belt conveyor technology to gently and efficiently move seed and other valuable materials at steep angles. “Nu Life Market and KSi are both large contributors to our state’s growing economic success in the agribusiness and food processing industries,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “By honoring and showcasing their accomplishments, we aim to inspire other businesses to keep reaching for new opportunities across our state.” Other Exporter of the Year award finalists included GeoProbe Systems, Salina, and Lubrication Engineers, Wichita. A total of 53 Merit Awards and 45 Regional Awards were also presented at the event. Click here for the complete list and pictures from the event.