Skip to content

The History of the Chamber’s Annual Awards

In February, The Chamber of Commerce will present its annual awards at the organization’s 81st Annual Meeting. This prestigious event has a tremendous history, honoring outstanding citizens and businesses throughout the area. This year’s meeting will be the second held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The meeting provides an opportunity to recognize organizations and individuals for their extraordinary efforts in serving the community throughout the year. This look back is to again highlight those, past and present, that have worked to make Columbia and Montour counties a great area to work, live and do business.

The Outstanding Citizen Award began in 1970. The Chamber added three more awards in 2011: Small Business, Large Business, and the Community Progress Award, which consolidated what were formerly known as the Community Class Awards. Community Progress recognizes organizations that have made significiant physical investment and improvement in a property in the area.  In 2020, the Chamber added the Nonprofit of the Year award to spotlight the efforts of the many human service agencies in the area.

“The Chamber of Commerce was formed over 80 years ago by community and organizational leaders who realized that they could be more effective in strengthening the community by working together,” said Fred Gaffney, President of the Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce. “Today, the Chamber is well positioned to continue serving area employers and communities. The Annual Meeting is not only an opportunity for us to talk about our efforts, but celebrate some of our outstanding partner organizations and individuals.”

A history of previous award recipients is as follows:

SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

  • 2021: Bason Coffee & Roasting
  • 2020: Marr Development
  • 2019: For the Cause
  • 2018: Steph’s Subs
  • 2017: Freas Farm Winery
  • 2016: Key Partners Realty
  • 2015: Bloom Bounce
  • 2014: InnoTek Computer Consulting
  • 2013: Old Forge Brewing Co.
  • 2012: Walkers Jewlers
  • 2011: Fuel Fitness

LARGE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

  • 2021: First Columbia Bank & Trust
  • 2020: Atlantic Broadband
  • 2019: Knoebels
  • 2018: SEKISUI
  • 2017: Central Columbia School District
  • 2016: Geisinger-Bloomsburg Hospital
  • 2015: Danville Child Development
  • 2014: PPL Electric Utilities
  • 2013: Berwick Offray
  • 2012: Walkers Jewelers
  • 2011: Columbia Montour Home Health/VNA

NONPROFIT OF THE YEAR

  • 2021: Community Giving Foundation
  • 2020: AGAPE

COMMUNITY PROGRESS AWARD

  • 2021: PB&J Bar
  • 2020: Frosty Valley Resort
  • 2019: Community Strategies Group
  • 2018: LCBC Church Columbia-Montour
  • 2017: Geisinger Woodbine
  • 2016: Pump House Wedding & B&B
  • 2015: Art of Floating
  • 2014: First Keystone Community Bank
  • 2013: Turkey Hill Brewing Co.
  • 2012: Service 1st Federal Credit Union
  • 2011: Town Camera

OUTSTANDING CITIZEN 

  • 2021: Area Frontline Healthcare Workers
  • 2020: Lisa Makara
  • 2019: Linda Brown
  • 2018: Denise Stone
  • 2017: Daniel Jankowski
  • 2016: Mary Clapp
  • 2015: Mike Monico & Travis Petty
  • 2014: Tim Wagner
  • 2013: Bette Grey
  • 2012: Eileen Chapman
  • 2011: Ramona Alley
  • 2007: Rod Keller
  • 2003: Bob McCoy & Paul Reichart
  • 2001: James Magee
  • 1997: Daniel J. Bowman
  • 1993: George H. Hemingway
  • 1986: Richard A. Benefield
  • 1985: Roy D. Snydeer
  • 1984: James G. Law
  • 1983: Paul R. Everly Jr.
  • 1981: Anna Mae Lehr
  • 1980: George A. Thompson
  • 1979: Boyd F. Buckingham
  • 1978: Dorothy Jean Kimmel
  • 1977: Lester Jones
  • 1976: Edward T. Kitchen
  • 1975: Clark B. Patterson
  • 1974: Norman Hoffman
  • 1973: Robert Nearing
  • 1972: Marco Mitrani
  • 1971: Edward F. Schuyler
  • 1970: Edwin Barton
Scroll To Top