Manhattan agribusiness wins state award; local leader named to board of regents

MANHATTAN — Local businesses and civic leaders are among those receiving recognition from Governor Laura Kelly this week, with Liquid Art Winery and Estate winning a statewide business award and Manhattan resident Matt Crocker being appointed to the Kansas Board of Regents.

Liquid Art Winery and Estate was named the 2025 Statewide Winner in the Agribusiness category at the Kansas Department of Commerce's 2025 To The Stars: Kansas Business Awards ceremony Thursday night at Pittsburg State University. The ceremony honored Kansas businesses and entrepreneurs for their outstanding contributions to Kansas communities and the state economy.

The award recognizes Liquid Art's accomplishments in agricultural enterprise and innovation. A record 431 businesses, organizations, and individuals were nominated in 11 different categories for this year's awards. Winners were evaluated based on business expansion, employee recruitment and retention practices, training and educational programs, capital investment, and support for local community events.

"Kansas businesses are the backbone of the record-setting success our state has experienced over the last six years," Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. A total of 372 Merit Awards and 59 Regional Awards were presented at the ceremony, attended by nearly 500 people.

In other recognition, Crocker was appointed Friday to the Kansas Board of Regents, a nine-member body that governs six state universities and supervises and coordinates 19 community colleges, five technical colleges, six technical schools, and a municipal university. The appointment came as part of Governor Kelly's announcement of 14 appointments to various state boards, committees, and advisory groups.

Additional appointments included Peter Johnston of Salina to the Kansas Board of Regents, and Aaron Bastian and Laurie Labarca of Wichita to the Wichita State University Board of Trustees, with Bastian and Labarca being reappointed to their positions.