News Photo by Steve Schulwitz Omega Electric and Sign Co. owner Ryan Fairchild watches his employee, Jim Sharp, put the finishing touches on a new sign that will be erected at the new HPC Credit Union location on Ripley Boulevard in Alpena. Omega is being recognized as one of 50 companies to watch in the state by the Michigan Small Business Development Center.

ALPENA — Omega Electric and Sign Co. in Alpena had a meager beginning, but has grown to be a force throughout the state.

In May, it is going to be honored for being one of 50 companies to watch in Michigan by the Michigan Small Business Development Center and sponsor, the Michigan Economic Development Corp. Omega will be recognized at a banquet in Lansing on May 8.

Owner Ryan Fairchild said he was the only employee at the 2005 birth of his company in his garage. He said it didn’t take long until more space was needed and help needed to be hired. More recently, Fairchild said, his business has really excelled.

“In the last five years, we have doubled in size and we are now up to having 18 full-time employees that we pay full benefits to,” he said. “The community has been very good to me and everyone works really hard. The entire company is excited about the award.”

The award is given to 50 businesses in the state with between six and 99 full-time employees and $750,000 to $50 million in revenue. Winners come from all regions of Michigan and a diverse range of industries.

J.D. Collins, state director of the Small Business Development Center, issued a statement Tuesday about how important the businesses on the list are and the role they will play economically in coming years.

“We are proud to recognize these exceptional companies,” Collins said. “They are a tremendous part of Michigan’s success and we are excited to see what the future holds for them.”

Winners were selected by Michigan-based judges working in banking, economic development, entrepreneurship, and venture capitalism. The selected companies also go through a rigorous due diligence process.

Fairchild said he now does business all over the state and, since he moved into a new facility about a year ago, production is up and work is being done more efficiently. He said that, as good as the business is doing, he still has plans for it.

“We are trying to become an assigned manufacturer for signs and ship them nationwide,” he said. “We are working on that now and, when it happens, we will be the only one in northeastern Michigan to do it.”

Fairchild said there were a lot of people who have helped in making his company the success it is and applauded them for their support and hard work.

“Our success is directly related to the support of local and regional business partners, as well as the support of the Alpena Chamber of Commerce and local government striving to support small business-related environments and issues,” Fairchild said. “With the continued support of northern Michigan, Omega will continue to innovate and grow to support the economy of northern Michigan.”

Steve Schulwitz can be reached at 989-358-5689 at sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ss_alpeanews.com.