original one-and-half-story houses, as well as two-story houses traditionally seen in the South Ostrobothnia region. Grandfather clocks were manufactured in Ilmajoki, and a concentration of blacksmiths specialized in horse carriages developed in the village of Nopankylä – both of which portray aspects of Ilmajoki's long-standing traditions in construction and design. Economy Business and entrepreneurship have long been traditions in Ilmajoki, with nearly 1,000 companies. Ilmajoki has repeatedly been rated as one of the top entrepreneurial municipalities, according to an annual survey conducted by South Ostrobothnia's Federation of Finnish Enterprise (Yrittäjät). The municipality also maintains a highly advanced bio and environmental economy. The largest industrial plant is Altia’s Koskenkorva manufacturing plant, which produces ethanol as a raw material for Koskenkorva viina, a clear spirit drink in Finland. Also known as “Kossu”, Koskenkorva has become one of Finland's most recognized brands, domestically and internationally. A privately owned airport that meets international standards is situated in Ilmajoki's village of Rengonkylä. The busy traffic route between Seinäjoki and Kaskinen runs through Ilmajoki. The distance from Ilmajoki to Seinäjoki is 17 km, to Vaasa 70 km, to Tampere 150 km and to Helsinki 360 km. Sights Ilkka's Field and the Ilkka Statue, erected in 1924, as well as Lakeuden Raivaajapatsas Statue, erected in 1954 Memorial to Jaakko Ilkka's House in Koskenkorva Yli-Laurosela House Museum, which exemplifies the carpentry skill in old South Ostrobothnia houses Ilmajoki Museum Alajoki's scenic fields and river landscapes Santavuori and its wind turbines The Grove of Tuoresluoma, protected under Western Finland's Environmental Administration Tuoresluoma, Luokasmäki's Natural Spring, Hassulanneva's Natural Spring and Kilsukylä's Natural Spring – all of which are valued small bodies of water, according to Western Finland's Environmental Administration Notable individuals Ahti Rytkönen, linguist and professor Antti Rytkönen, writer Arvo Haavisto, Olympic wrestler Bartholdus Vhaël, grammar writer Eino Rautavaara, opera singer Erkki Ala-Könni, professor, ethnomusicologist, researcher and recorder of Finnish folklore Erkki Kiskola, mayor of Ilmajoki Erkko Kivikoski, film director and screenwriter Gabriel Peldan, priest, vicar and guerilla soldier Gabriel Peldanus, vicar Gustaf Gabriel Hällström, scientist Hannu-Pekka Björkman, actor Iisakki Saha, goldsmith and German consul Jaakko Ilkka, trader and Cudgel War leader Jaakko Pöyry, industrialist Jarkko Ala-Huikku, Olympic wrestler Juho Forsell, painter Jukka Vieno, writer Jussi Kiikeri, baseball player Jussi Rintamäki, sprinter and hurdler Katarina Peltola, teacher Katri Tapola, writer Lasse Lintala, musician and music conductor Marja-Leena Mäkelä, librarian and writer Marko Yli-Hannuksela, wrestler Matti Järviharju, politician, entrepreneur and sea