More than three dozen businesses and organizations from across the region were honored Thursday during the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Small Business Awards Breakfast.
Keegan Shepardson, district director of the Massachusetts District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration, not only thanked honorees, but delivered a moving tribute.
“Look around the room—lenders, mentors, Chamber leaders, elected officials and the people who built something from nothing. That is the Merrimack Valley at its very best. To ever honoree here today, what you built matters. It creates opportunities. It lifts up neighborhoods. It lights a path forward for every entrepreneur that comes after you,” he said.
Chamber board Chairman Michael J. Sullivan further noted those who take part in Chamber functions are making a difference in keeping the local engine of industry running. “But it’s you that show up to the program to exchange business cards, to meet and greet each other, and that’s what really keeps the economy going,” he said.
Among those presented with awards and legislative citations were Battle Grounds Coffee Co., Colony Foods, George’s Bakery, Koopman Lumber and P & Co. Real Estate, all family-owned businesses; innovators such as Historic New England and Worden Marine of North Andover; those providing Business Assistance, Essex County Community Foundation and Enterprise Center at Salem State; Discovery/Education, Central Catholic and Chang’s Tae Kwon Do America; Environmental, Ground Care Landscaping and Groundwork Lawrence; Healthcare, Andover Hearing Center and lnCare Pulmonary and Sleep Specialists; Longevity, LW Bills Co. and Salvatore’s at Riverwalk; Manufacturing, Asahi America and A.W. Chesterton Co.; Cultural/Tourism, Apollo Sunrise Center and Salisbury Beach Carousel; Diversity, JBS Corp. and La Grekka Cafe Art & Lounge.
Further, Media Advocate, Eagle-Tribune and WHAV; Nonprofit, Haverhill Exchange Club and L’ Arche Boston North; Perseverance Elaine Barker of Paper Potpourri and Phoenician Restaurant; Retail, OMNIA and Pica’s Deli & Ice Cream; Service, LCW CPAs, and Millennium Cleaning Services; Veteran, Ironwood Safety Group and Take the Helm Coaching; and Wholesale Abel Womack and Mainstream Global.
The Small Business Awards breakfast took place at Haverhill’s Renaissance Country Club.