Chamber seeks nominations for annual business awards

Photo by Tom Rivers: Mark Tillman, long-time owner of the former Tillman’s Village Inn, accepts a lifetime achievement award during last year’s Orleans County Chamber of Commerce awards dinner. It was the 25th anniversary for the Chamber following the merger of the Albion and Medina chambers into a county-ide organization.

The Orleans County Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for its 26th annual business awards.

Nominations are due by Sept. 9 and can be emailed to director@orleanschamber.com or mailed to OCCC, PO Box 501, Medina NY, 14103.

The categories include:

Business of the Year – This award is presented to a business that has experienced significant overall achievements/success throughout the year. (Last year’s winner: Art Hill Excavating in Medina.)

Lifetime Achievement – This award is presented to an individual with a long-term record of outstanding business achievements. (Mark Tillman received the award in 2023.)

Phoenix Award – This award is presented to an organization or business that has successfully adapted or re-used an existing facility. (Robert Smith, owner of the Webber Hotel in Lyndonville, won the award last year.)

New Business of the Year – This award is presented to a business or organization that has opened in the past year. (Chris and McKenna Delorme of The Grove 1848 Bistro and Bar in Kendall won last year.)

Community Service Award – This award is presented to a business, organization or individual that has provided meaningful contributions to the community in either professional or non-professional spheres. (Mary Lou Tuohey, owner of Case-Nic Cookies in Medina received the honor in 2023.)

Agricultural Business of the Year – This award is presented to an agricultural business that has experienced significant overall achievements/success throughout the year. (Orleans Poverty Hill Farms, a dairy farm in Albion owned by the Neal family, won the award in 2023.)

Small Business of the Year – This award is presented to a small business that has experienced significant achievements/success throughout the year. (Sourced Market & Eatery in Millville won last year.)

Hidden Gem –This award is presented to a business that has made a positive contribution to tourism in Orleans County. (The Downtown Browsery in Albion and Medina won the honor in 2023.)

For more information check the Chamber website or Facebook page.

Jennifer Hill-Young, president and owner of Art Hill Excavating, accepts the award last year for “Business of the Year.”