The Logan County Chamber of Commerce held the Stars in Business Night of Recognition at the Holland Theater Wednesday evening.
President, Ben Vollrath reported highlights from the chamber for the past year.
Connect and Educate:
- 56 new members for over 500 total members
- Over 1,500 people participated in chamber events
- The largest event in their history was just a few weeks ago with the Pursuit of Excellence with Pete Blank
- Monthly Legislative Impact Meetings included: Litientant Governor Husted, State Representatives Cross, Barhorst, and Manchester, and the Superintendents Round Table
- 55 teams attended the golf outing
- First Thursdays are held countywide
Market:
- $76K of Chamber Choice Checks were issued in 2022, $18K YTD in 2023
- Business of the Month
- 24 Ribbon Cuttings YTD
- 4th Best of LoCo Awards
- Ice Cream Trail (13 stops) and Pizza Bracket (15 restaurants)
Advocate:
- $1M in Brownfield Grants approved (McBeth School and Lewistown School were demolished)
- Friends Office Solutions-2% savings for 34 businesses
- Safety Council-3 new member for FY24
- SOCA Health Plan-20 small businesses participate
- 4 new benefits added-Community Energy Advisors, Sustainability Program, DOLR, and Hunter Consulting
Advance- Workforce, Housing, Infrastructure, Fiber:
- Employ, Enlist, Enroll Initiative
- Natural Fas EnergizeOhio legislation
- Over 250 Peak Fiber customers
- Airport Economic Impact Study
- Japan Business Trip
- Hosted Janapeese Grassroots Summit Attendees
- SiteOhio Authentication
Board Chairperson Justin Dinovo’s term came to an end last night and he exchanged his gavel with David Willoby.
Vollrath went on to begin the award presentation.
2023 Max Evans Tourism Award: Jim Reed
The Max Evans Tourism Award is presented to an individual who has made a positive impact and contribution to tourism throughout Logan County.
Max Evans Tourism Award Past Recipients are:
- 2013 Frank Giannola
- 2014 Bill & Phyllis Wiley
- 2015 Sandy Musser
- 2016 Tim Grissom
- 2017 Pam Miller
- 2018 Chris Westhoff
- 2019 Margaret Piatt
- 2020 Matt Wiley
- 2021 Todd McCormick
- 2022 Kris Swisher
Reed comments on why he loves Logan County:
2023 Non-Profit of the Year: Bellefontaine Grace Church
Non-profit of the Year is presented to an organization that shows dedication to improving lives and strengthening our community by utilizing volunteers and resources to demonstrate the generosity of Logan County.
Non-profit of the Year past recipients:
- 2013 United Way of Logan County
- 2014 Our Daily Bread
- 2015 Discovery Riders
- 2016 Logan County Cancer Society
- 2017 The Holland Theater
- 2018 Shine FM
- 2019 RTC Industries Incorporated
- 2020 Logan County Farmers Market
- 2021 Community Health and Wellness Partners
- 2022 Downtown Bellefontaine Partnership
2023 Young Professional of the Year: Bethany Watts
Young Professional of the Year is presented to an individual who is actively working to develop leadership skills, is committed to improving the quality of life for others, and demonstrates growth toward future goals.
Young Professional of the Year past recipients:
- 2017 Brittany Saxton
- 2018 Justin Dinovo
- 2019 Colton Lowry
- 2020 Jacob Schroeder
- 2021 Jessica Simmons
- 2022 Shannon Reese
2023 Emerging Business of the Year: Royce Industries
Emerging Business of the Year is presented to a business whose management style, unique product or service offerings, and job creation and retention have contributed to its growth and success.
Emerging Business of the Year past recipients:
- 2018 Power Built Material Handling Solutions
- 2018 V-Tech Communications
- 2019 Homegrown Yoga
- 2020 P. Allen Properties
- 2021 Foour Acre Clothing Company
- 2022 Prescription Bliss
2023 Small Business of the Year: Sunlight Windows & Exteriors
Small Business of the Year is presented to an independently owned business that has demonstrated itself as an established, financially. Strong enterprise committed to community involvement.
Small Business of the Year past recipients:
- 2017 Brewfountaine
- 2018 Easton Water Solutions
- 2019 Majestic Plastics Incorporated
- 2020 City Sweets and Creamery
- 2021 Thompson Dunlap and Hydinger
- 2022 Elle A. design
2023 Entrepreneur of the Year: Jeremy Hankins
Entrepreneur of the Year is presented to an individual or individuals with an innovative spirit and willingness to take risks to provide products, services, and employment opportunities to our community.
Entrepreneur of the Year past recipients:
- 2012: Jason Duff
- 2013 Mike Minnich
- 2014 Mick Reed
- 2015 Bill Fraim
- 2016 Betty Kananen
- 2017 Dr. Ryan Kauffman
- 2018 Brian and Mandy Osterfield
- 2019 Ron and Kathy Troyer
- 2020 Steve Buckneroth
- 2021 Randy Marker
- 2022 Jeremy and Erin LeVan
Hankins talks about his “Why”:
2023 Integrity in Business Award: Link Construction Group
The Integrity and Business Award is presented to a business that is recognized for providing quality service with honesty and probity to the Logan County Community.
Integrity and Business Award past recipients:
- 1995 AcuSport Corporation
- 1996 Honda of America
- 1997 Belletech Corporation
- 1998 Thomas and Marker Construction
- 1999 Marie’s candies
- 2000 Huber Buchenroth
- 2001 C.E. Duff and Sun Inc.
- 2002 Citizens Federal Savings and Loan
- 2003 TP Bowling Lanes
- 2004 Marmon Valley Farm
- 2005 House of Szechuan
- 2006 AGC Automotive
- 2007 Family Pharmacy
- 2008 Whitmore House
- 2009 Alan Galvez Insurance
- 2010 Fissel Floor Covering
- 2011 Wrens Florist
- 2012 Robinson Investments
- 2013 Mary Rutan Hospital
- 2014 Steve Austin’s Auto Group
- 2015 Acrux
- 2016 Liberty National Bank
- 2017 Green Hills Community
- 2018 Solomon’s Garage
- 2019 Hill and Hamilton Insurance
- 2020 Dairy Queen
- 2021 Irwin Insurance
- 2022 Beasley Architecture and Design
2023 Richard J. Rupp Leadership Award: Tammy Gump
The Richard J. Rupp Leadership Award is presented to an individual who has made a significant impact on Logan County with their outstanding leadership skills and commitment, vision, and dedication to the community.
Richard J. Rupp Leadership Award past recipients:
- 1994 Richard J. Rupp
- 1995 Merrill Insley
- 1996 Dwight Spencer
- 1997 Lee Dorsey
- 1998 Frida Taylor
- 1999 Edward K. Core
- 2000 Myron VanHorn
- 2001 Tom Simon
- 2002 Bell Montgomery
- 2003 H. Dean Horn
- 2004 Ewing H. Crawfis
- 2005 Carmen Scott
- 2006 Steve Austin
- 2007 Linda Hollandshead
- 2008 Charles Earick
- 2009 Rick Gildow
- 2010 Tim O’Reilly
- 2011 John Belser
- 2012 K. Edward “Wags” Wagner
- 2013 Jim Reed
- 2014 Dick Abram
- 2015 Ed Wallace
- 2016 Jerry Robinson
- 2017 Tammy Nicholl
- 2018 Tod Johnson
- 2019 Allen Hale
- 2020 Doug Zimmerman
- 2021 Rick Hatcher
- 2022 Harold Marker
Gump comments on her award:
Congratulations to this year’s award winners and thank you for all you do here in Logan County!
