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Winners Announced for Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce Business & Community Awards Program

10/16/2007

The Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce, and awards luncheon sponsor, Luzerne County Community College, has announced the winners of their 2007 Business and Community Awards. 

Winning the Small Business of the Year Award, sponsored by NetworkSolutions is Schumacher Engineering, Inc.. The purpose of the award is to show appreciation and recognition to a small business in the Greater Hazleton Area and promote the importance of small businesses to the economy and welfare of the entire community. Eligible applicants included any Chamber member business that has no more than 50 full-time employees and is located in the Greater Hazleton area. Judging was based on staying power, growth, community contribution, and overall management philosophy.

The Large Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Bank of America was won by PPL Corporation.  The purpose of the award is to show appreciation and recognition to a large business in the Greater Hazleton and promote the importance of large businesses to the economy and welfare of the community. Eligible applicants included any Chamber member business that has more than 50 full-time employees and is located in the Greater Hazleton Area. Judging was based on staying power, growth, community contribution, and overall management philosophy.

The Rocco Colangleo, Sr. Volunteer of the Year Award, sponsored by Verizon, was won by Benjamin J. Matteo, CPA.  The purpose of this award is to extend appreciation to and honor an individual volunteer within the Greater Hazleton Area and to promote the importance of volunteerism to the community at large. Eligible applicants included any resident of the Greater Hazleton Area that participates in volunteer work or community service not required by their place of employment.

Pride of Place-Commercial Award, sponsored by Slusser Brothers was won by Providence Place Retirement Community. The purpose of this award is to recognize a local business or organization whose exterior property physically improves or enhances the community and environment in the Greater Hazleton Area. Eligible applicants included any Chamber member business that was located in the Greater Hazleton Area, and the structure must be a commercial or public building.

Two Healthy Workplace awards, sponsored by Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania in cooperation with ChamberChoice, were awarded. Curves for Women won the Healthy Workplace Award for a Small Business (2-50 employee category) and First Quality Nonwovens, Inc. won the Healthy Workplace Award for a Large Business (over 50 employee category).  The purpose of these awards was to recognize a local business or organization who provides employees with opportunities to improve their overall health and assist in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

According to Lex Sloot, Chamber Board member and Program Chairman, “We have initiated these awards to highlight businesses that are located in the Greater Hazleton Area, and to recognize the important role that volunteers play in our community.  The judging was extremely difficult with many excellent applicants in each category.  However, I feel that the judges made excellent choices with the above-mentioned winners.”

In an attempt to help promote October as “Chamber of Commerce” month, the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce will hold a special awards luncheon, sponsored by Luzerne County Community College, to recognize the winners of the awards.  The luncheon will take place on Friday, October 26th at 11:45 a.m. at the Stage Coach Inn in Drums, and is open to Chamber members and guests.  Cost of the luncheon is $25 per person which includes a choice of stuffed chicken breast or baked haddock. Reservations are required by Tuesday, October 23rd by calling the Chamber at 455-1509 or emailing lfallabel@hazletonchamber.org.