Small Business luncheon coming soon

Van Wert independent/Chamber of Commerce information

The Van Wert Area Chamber of Commerce invites the community to the Salute to Small Business Luncheon on Friday, November 18, at 11:45 a.m. at Willow Bend Country Club in Van Wert. The Chamber will honor all area small businesses and name the 2011 “Small Business of the Year” and “Microenterprise of the Year” award winners.

The 2011 finalists for the sixth annual Van Wert County Small Business of the Year Award are (in alphabetical order) Alexander & Bebout Inc., Family Health Care of Northwest Ohio Inc. and P & L Fertilizer. The two finalists for the Microenterprise of the Year are Perks Café and Sycamore Drive-In.

A panel of business professionals from the Van Wert area evaluates applications submitted for this award. The businesses that apply for the award are scored on the following criteria: financial performance/business history, employee practices, community involvement, customer service and entrepreneurship. The Small Business of the Year Selection Committee includes Seth Baker, Nancy Bowen, Kirk Dougal, Pat Ryan, Eva Yarger and Robin Farris.

“Customers and community members nominate these small businesses,” Chamber President/CEO Susan Munroe stated. “It’s an honor to be nominated and a prestigious achievement to be named a finalist. The competition was very tight this year and each finalist has shown perseverance during this economy.”

The Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business of the Year Award was instituted in 2006 to recognize and honor the accomplishments of area businesses. Previous winners include KAM Manufacturing, Straightline Body and Paint, Baker Built Products, Glen Schroeder Drafting, Rural Energy Products, Lee’s Ace Hardware, Swan Memorial and P & R Medical Connection. P & R Medical Connection actually competed in the 2010 U.S. Chamber Small Business of the Year Awards and placed in the top 75 small businesses in the country.

The Chamber of Commerce invites area residents to join it as it honors each of this year’s  outstanding award finalists and pays tribute to Van Wert area small businesses at the Salute to Small Business Luncheon. Tickets are $15 per person and the Chamber asks that those planning to attend respond by November 16 with reservations by calling the Chamber office at 419.238.4390; email reservations to chamber@vanwertchamber.com; or drop by the Chamber office to register at 1199 Professional Drive in Van Wert.

The mission of the Van Wert Area Chamber of Commerce is to aggressively promote the interests of the business community.

Citizens National Bank and The Times-Bulletin Media co-sponsor the Small Business of the Year awards and luncheon.