The Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce is now seeking nominations for their 15th Annual Business & Community Awards. The awards are given each year in order to recognize individuals and businesses, which help to promote and support the Greater Hazleton Area.

Nominations are being accepted for: Small Business of the Year; Large Business of the Year, Rocco Colangelo, Sr. Volunteer of the Year, Pride of Place, Healthy Workplace of the Year, Green Business of the Year and Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

A business or individual may be nominated for an award or they can nominate themselves. Once the nomination is received by the Chamber, the nominee will be notified and asked to complete an official application. The applications are reviewed and scored by a volunteer committee, and all winners will be recognized at a special luncheon program, sponsored by Luzerne County Community College, to be held on Thursday, October 27th at 11:45 am Genetti’s in Hazleton.

 

The Small Business of the Year Award is sponsored by Comfort Keepers. 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 include any Chamber member business that has no less than 50 full-time employees and is located in the Greater Hazleton area. Judging will be based on staying power, growth, community contribution, and overall management philosophy.

The Large Business of the Year Award is sponsored by Gottstein 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 include any Chamber member business that has more than 50 full-time employees and is located in the Greater Hazleton Area. Judging will be based on staying power, growth, community contribution, and overall management philosophy.

The Rocco Colangleo, Sr. Volunteer of the Year Award is sponsored by M&T Bank. 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 include any resident of the Greater Hazleton Area that participates in volunteer work or community service not required by their place of employment.

The Pride of Place Award is sponsored by Kavlick Enterprises/McDonalds. 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 include any Chamber member business that is located in the Greater Hazleton Area, and the structure must be a commercial or public building.

The Healthy Workplace Award is sponsored by Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania, in partnership with ChamberChoice. Three awards will be given in this category: one for a small business (1 to 49 employees), one for a large business (over 50 employees) and a continuing excellence award, which will recognize a past award recipient who continues to pursue workplace wellness. Eligible applicants include any Chamber member business located in the Greater Hazleton Area. Judging will be based on strength and creativity of their workplace wellness initiatives. The Healthy Workplace Award is a regional award, organized through the ChamberChoice Wellness Committee with participating chambers from Hazleton, Pittston, Scranton, and Wilkes-Barre and Blue Cross.

The Green Business of the Year Award is sponsored by George J. Hayden Inc Electric Communications. The purpose of this award is to recognize business within the Greater Hazleton Area who is adopting “green initiatives” in their workplace. Eligible applicants include any Chamber member business located in the Greater Hazleton Area. Judging will be based on strength and creativity of their workplace “green” initiatives.

The Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award is sponsored by CAN BE. The purpose of this award it is to promote the development of future business owners and operators. Eligible applicants include any entrepreneur between the ages of 13 and 35 who resides in Greater Hazleton.

In addition, the Chamber’s women’s networking committee, with a financial contribution from PPL will once again, be recognizing the recipients of their Women’s Empowerment Grants.

According to Awards Chairman and Chamber Director, Terry Malloy, “We have these awards annually to highlight Chamber member businesses in the Greater Hazleton Area, and to recognize the important role that volunteers play in our community. In addition, the awards program offers our organization the opportunity to promote October as “Chambers of Commerce” month.”

To nominate yourself or a third party and receive an application to complete, contact Leann Fallabel at the Chamber, 455-1509 or . Completed applications must be received by Friday, September 16th.

AWARD SPONSORS PICTURED IN PHOTO:
Standing from left to right: James Kelshaw, CAN BE, Young Entrepreneur Sponsor; Katie Kemmerer, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Health Workplace Sponsor; Joan Buff, M&T Bank, Rocco Colangelo Sr Volunteer of the Year Sponsor; Scott Kavlick, Kavlick Enterprises/McDonalds, Pride of Place Sponsor; and Terry Malloy from Landmark Community Bank, Chamber Awards Committee Chairman. Missing from the photo were representative from Comfort Keepers, Small Business of the Year Sponsor; Gottstein Corporation, Large Business of the Year Sponsor; George J. Hayden Electric Communications, Green Business of the Year Sponsor and Luzerne County Community College, Luncheon Program Sponsor.