Lt. Gov. Jack Dalrymple and the North Dakota Department of Human Services announced this week that Pizza Ranch of Mandan and Sheyenne Tooling and Manufacturing of Cooperstown have been named co-recipients of the 2009 North Dakota Employer of the Year award.

The two companies were recognized for business practices and community involvement that support the employment of people with disabilities. The department’s Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and the North Dakota State Rehabilitation Council selected them from among seven regional employer award recipients.

Officials presented the awards to company representatives during the 2009 North Dakota Vocational Rehabilitation annual awards banquet and training conference, held at the Best Western Seven Seas Inn of Mandan.

“It is a pleasure to honor these companies. Their progressive attitudes and business practices have helped individuals with disabilities put their abilities to work,” said Nancy McKenzie, director of the department’s Vocational Rehabilitation Division, which sponsored the awards.

McKenzie said the seven companies recognized serve as models for other North Dakota businesses. Due to their efforts and the efforts of other employers in the state, she said, North Dakota leads the nation in the percentage of individuals with disabilities who are employed.