Wednesday, April 21, 2004

Chamber group fetes investment


BY JAMIE LEMKE-BARRAND
jamiel@kpcnews.net

 

ANGOLA — The economic struggles of Steuben County over the last few years were forgotten for a while on Tuesday morning, when 27 businesses were honored for their investments in their communities at the first annual Excellence in Business Awards, presented by the Steuben County Chamber Association.

The event was spearheaded by Angola city planner Brook Steed, who attended a similar awards program in Fort Wayne last year. Steed thanked the Herald-Republican and radio station WLKI FM 100.3 for publicizing the event, and for those business that had “invested or re-invested in their community.”

Steed said the businesses that won awards had put forth over $28 million in the way of new buildings, equipment and jobs.

“And that doesn’t include training and that type of thing,” Steed said. “That’s just $28 million that we could easily track.”

Gary Nielander, executive director for the Steuben County Economic Development Commission, opened the event, calling it “outstanding.”

“I’ve always been impressed with the community spirit here,” he said.

The following Angola businesses received awards, which were presented by Mayor Dick Hickman:

• Coachlight Coffeehouse, for its $85,000 investment in its opening.

• CVS Pharmacy, for its $800,000 investment in its opening.

• Duraclean by Shoup’s, for its investment of $100,000 in new equipment.

• General Products, for its $10.1 million investment in expansion and new equipment, as well as the addition of several new jobs.

• Glendarin Hills Golf Course, for its $2.6 million investment.

• IMP Acquisitions LLC, for its $326,000 in new equipment and 15 new jobs.

• Jitterbug, for its $50,000 investment in its opening.

• Maurice’s, for “having the courage to weather the storm and having the guts to stick around” as businesses steadily left the plaza it is located in, Steed said.

• Moore-Wallace Inc., for the preservation of 244 jobs and $2 million worth of new equipment.

• Steuben County Community Foundation, for its $17,000 expansion.

• Wolf Envelope Co., for its addition of $275,000 in new equipment and the addition of six new jobs.

The winners from Ashley, whose awards were presented by Don Farrington, were:

• Ashley Super Wash, for a $100,000 expansion.

• Tribute Precast Systems LLC, a new company that spent $1.5 million to start up and created five new jobs. The company plans to add 20 more positions in the near future.

Fremont businesses that received recognition were and were presented awards by Loretta Smart were:

• Cardinal IG, for its $2.3 million expansion and the creation of 40 new jobs,

• Greg Stroh’s Northern Interiors, for the addition of $75,000 in new equipment and four new jobs.

• Metaldyne, for investing $3 million in new equipment and the creation of 36 new jobs.

Hamilton businesses that received awards presented by Bob Livensparger were:

• John Essman Co., for its relocation from Bryan.

• Hamilton Citgo-Subway Express, for its renovation of the old gas station.

• Pier 32, which opened last fall and created 22 new jobs.

Hudson businesses recognized and presented with awards by Shawn Wallace were:

• Dillinger’s Restaurant, for weathering a court case and staying open, preserving 20 full-time jobs.

• Pranger Enterprises, for a $255,000 expansion.

Orland awards presented by Gene German were:

• Comfort Specialists Inc., a husband and wife team business that spent thousands of dollars to start up their business in their home.

• Pine Manor (Miller Poultry), for a $4 million expansion project that added dozens of new jobs.

Steuben County awards were presented by Steuben County Commissioner Dick Dodge and were given to:

• Conaway’s Rollerway, for its $500,000 investment in its opening and two new jobs.

• DAS Services Inc., for an investment of $379,000 in improvements.

• Merritt Sand and Gravel, for its investment of $300,000 in improvements and the creation of one new job.

• Williams Electronics, for its investment of $200,000 in improvements and the creation of four new jobs.

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