The Chamber of Southern Saratoga County handed out its annual awards to businesses with special achievements in 2012, as well as an individual award to a businessman for his chairty work, at its 46th annual dinner on March 28 at the Hall of Springs in Saratoga Springs.
Officials said over 325 members attended.
The organization’s Endurance Award, for companies that have 50 or more employees and have served the Saratoga County area for more than five years, exhibiting dedication to excellence, went to DeCrescente Distributors of Mechanicville.
Other nominees were Jersen Construction, Mohawk Honda and Specialty Silicone Products.
The Inspiration Award, for companies with between 11 and 49 employees that have served the Saratoga County area for more than five years and inspire and encourage excellence in small business ownership, went to Double M Ranch in Ballston Spa.
Other nominees were HealthPlex Fitness Center, Jack Byrne Ford, Shady Harbor Marina, Shrader and Company, Ursula of Switzerland and Hampton Inn Clifton Park.
Winner of the Entrepreneurial Success Award, for companies with 1-10 employees that exhibit a talent and passion for their company that has resulted in outstanding success, was Cartridge World of Clifton Park.
They were chosen from a list of candidates that also included Bella Rouge Cosmetic & Skincare Boutique, Cartwheel Gymnastics, Rosenbaum Media Group LLC, Rosewood Home Builders, KCO Resource Management LLC, Primerica and Capital Region Maritime Center.
The Strong Community Award for companies that “contribute to the strength and wellness of the Southern Saratoga County through generous donations and/or extensive volunteerism” went to Hedley & Co. PLLC in Halfmoon.
Other nominees were Rosenbaum Media Group LLC, The Stakeholders Inc. and Turner Construction.
The Education & Business Partnership Award for companies that work in partnership with a public or private school (K-12) to achieve a shared mission of educational excellence, was Albany Medical Center .
Nominees included Capital Region Maritime Center, Mail N More and Mangino Buick GMC.
In addition, the Southern Saratoga Chamber Angels gave an award to Peter Belmonte of Belmonte Builders, in recognition of his decades of support for the children served by the organization and his outstanding service to the community.
Chamber President/CEO Pete Bardunias gave an update on where the Chamber of Southern Saratoga County focused its energy in the past year, and where it is headed in the coming years.
Community Development was the theme, as the award-winning Historic Lock 19 project has become the prototype for a host of new community efforts beginning at the Brookside Museum in Ballston Spa, the Mechanicville Train Station, downtown Waterford, and Charlton, among others, said Bardunias.
He also drew attention to the building of the Historic Lock 19 bridge which is being dedicated April 29, and the Chamber’s recent acquisition of the Northway-Exit 9 Rest Area Information Center.
“When I came here I promised to own the bridge,” said Bardunias, referring to the Twin Bridges which are depicted in the Chamber’s logo. “Well we not only are the business leaders in the vicinity of the Bridges, but in 2012 we built a bridge and now we own a chunk of the highway that goes over it too.”
This effort took an abandoned 1842 Erie Canal lock which had been lost to history for 95 years and made it not only visible, but accessible to not only the public, but to maintenance equipment needed to properly take care of the site.
Bardunias also announced the Chamber’s latest membership tally – its largest ever at 1,052.
A strategic partnership was announced between the Southern Saratoga Chamber Angels, Captain Youth and Family Services, and the Southern Saratoga YMCA, whereby the three organizations will collaborate to provide holiday gifts for over 700 needy children, more than double the amount that the Angels have handled in the past.
“This partnership, a model of collaboration, will ensure that the largest possible number of children will be taken care of at the Holidays,” says Bardunias.
Mazzone Hospitality catered the event. Sponsors were Ellis Medicine, Bouchey & Clarke, the Times Union, CD/PHP, Site Solutions Worldwide, and St. Peter’s Health Partners.
Photo Courtesy of Chamber of Southern Saratoga County