Hometown Trolley of Crandon has been nominated to receive the prestigious Manufacturing Award of Distinction, which honors excellence in manufacturing in Northeast Wisconsin. The award is sponsored by Advance, the economic development arm of the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, and was submitted on Sept. 14.

“This nomination is a result of the incredible work and commitment of the entire Hometown Trolley team here in Crandon and reaffirms our belief that through leadership, empowerment and continuous improvement, we will continue to realize our vision of a great American manufacturing company,” said Kristina Dunow, Chief Executive Officer.

For 13 years, Advance has hosted the Manufacturing Awards of Distinction to specifically recognize and congratulate the outstanding manufacturing companies in Brown, Calumet, Door, Florence, Forest, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Marinette, Oconto, Shawano and other northeast Wisconsin counties. Final announcements of winners will be made during the Manufacturing Awards of Distinction 2012 banquet to be held Nov. 1 at the KI Convention Center, with WBAY-TV anchor Bill Jartz serving as Master of Ceremonies. Winners are then placed into nomination for statewide recognition in the Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year awards.

Hometown Trolley was nominated by Forest County Economic Development Partnership’s executive director Jim Schuessler. “Hometown Trolley has a long history of quality products dating back to the late 1970’s” said Schuessler, “and with the cutting-edge new products they are introducing to the marketplace they have the potential to be the leader both nationally and internationally for many years to come.”

Hometown Trolley produces custom trolley buses for the public transit industry. Several models are available, beginning with the front engine model named the Villager and the rear engine model, Mainstreet. The newest product will be in high demand for heavy transit areas with major transit agencies. Hometown Trolley is also innovative in providing the flexibility to operate buses on several standard or alternative fuels, including diesel, gasoline, compressed natural gas, LP and full electric.