The Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce has announced the winners of their Annual 2017 Business and Community Awards. 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 Community Bank, NA, to recognize the winners of the awards. The luncheon will take place on Thursday, October 26th at 11:45 am at Top of the 80’s Restaurant in Hazleton. The cost of the luncheon is $25 per person. Reservations are required by Friday, October 20th by registering online, calling the Chamber at 455-1509 or emailing .

Winning the 2017 Small Business of the Year Award, sponsored by the 2006 recipient, Comfort Keepers is Best Cigar Prices. 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 2017 Large Business of the Year Award, sponsored by the 2009 recipient, Gottstein Corporation is American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. 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 2017 winner of the Rocco Colangleo, Sr. Volunteer of the Year Award, sponsored by Fierro Funeral Services Inc is Anna Jean and Al Onuschak. The purpose of this award is to extend appreciation to and honor an individual volunteer or volunteers 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.

The 2017 winner of the Pride of Place Award, sponsored by the 2011 recipient, Kavlick Enterprises/McDonald’s is Edgewood by Sand Springs. 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.

The 2017 Healthy Workplace of the Year winner, sponsored by Lehigh Valley Hospital - Hazleton, is American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. The purpose of this award is to recognize a business in the Greater Hazleton Area who is adopting wellness practices into their workplace. Eligible applicants included any Chamber member business located within the Greater Hazleton Area and judging was based on strength and creativity of their workplace wellness initiatives.

The 2017 Green Business of the Year winner, sponsored by the 2010 recipient, George J. Hayden, Inc. is PPL. The purpose of these awards is to recognize a local business or organization who is adopting “green initiatives” within their workplace.

The 2017 Young Entrepreneurs of the Year Award winner, sponsored by CAN BE is Scott Gottstein, owner of Gottstein Chiriboga Holdings. The purpose of this award is to promote the development of future business owners and operators in Greater Hazleton.

According to Terry Malloy, Chamber Board member and Awards 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 addition to the business and community awards, the women’s networking committee will be awarding the recipients of their annual Women’s Empowerment Grants. This grant was established to encourage women to pursue training or education that will help them start or advance a career. The target of the grant is women who: are currently working and want to advance in their career through education or training; are returning to the workforce; are seeking to change their current career path and pursue something more in line with their interests or passions and it is intended to be available to those who would not necessarily have access to scholarships or grants. For 2017 the committee has been able to distribute two $1500 grants. The recipients of this year’s Women’s Empowerment Grants are: Carolyn Boone and Karen Nunez. Carolyn is pursuing Bachelor Degree in Administration Management from Central Penn College and Karen is pursuing a degree in nursing at Luzerne County Community College. The funds are raised at events coordinated through the Chamber’s women’s networking committee throughout the year, in addition to funding provided by PPL, who has been a supporter of this grant fund, since its inception. The Women’s Networking committee as well as any business woman from throughout Greater Hazleton is encouraged to attend to show their support of this years recipients.