MILLERSBURG – COVID-19 continued to wreak havoc on events and activities around the world in 2021, and one of the events that fell prey to the pandemic was the annual Holmes County Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureauawards banquet rewarding companies of the year in Holmes County.
Chamber Executive Director Tiffany Gerber thought outside the box to ensure these local businesses were recognized for their contributions to the Holmes County community and hosted a video presentation of the awards to large, medium and small businesses. of the year.
“In 2020, we honored local businesses that pivoted to support other businesses, families and organizations during the height of the pandemic,” Gerber said. “For the 2021-2022 awards, we used the criteria already in place to recognize deserving companies, organizations and individuals.”
Due to the cancellation of the 2021 Awards Banquet, the Chamber Awards Committee, led by Chris Roush of Rea and Associates, has decided to redesign the Awards.
To better showcase the winners, chamber staff and the awards committee organized video presentations to highlight each company’s story, through a partnership with Brantbury Studios.
“We had to adapt for two straight years,” Gerber said. “So let’s continue the show.”
Small Business of the Year:https://www.facebook.com/HolmesCountyChamber/videos/368245318660526
The 2021-22 winners are: Small Business of the Year: Airport Ridge Shooting Clays, sponsored by Killbuck Savings Bank; Medium Business of the Year: Millersburg Brewing Co., sponsored by Rea and Associates; and Large Company of the Year: Village Motors, sponsored by Rob Hovis, financial adviser to Edward Jones.
Airport Ridge Shooting Pasta
“It’s a surprise,” said Paul Weaver, one of three directors who started the business in June 2021. “It’s our passion. We’ve been pleasantly surprised at how the community has accepted this and participated in it. We’re humbled and grateful to have the opportunity to serve Holmes County in perhaps a way they have never been served before. Come visit us from time to time and we would be delighted to show you around.
Medium Business of the Year:https://www.facebook.com/HolmesCountyChamber/videos/368396191929243
Millersburg Brewing Co.
“Thank you very much. We really appreciate that,” owner Bill Baker said. “Mara (Padden) and I found a dream here 10 years ago. In 10 years she has made the brewery something to be recognized, sixth or seventh in the state of Ohio in size that we do. I am very proud of her and her staff.”
Large Company of the Year:https://www.facebook.com/HolmesCountyChamber/videos/319504813518970
Padden, the chief executive, praised the work of her staff over the past two years.
“It’s definitely been a roller coaster ride,” Padden said. “We wouldn’t be here without them. Obviously the community is a very big part of this success and supports us.”
Village Engines
From starting working at Village Motors washing cars in high school to owning it several years later, Deke Miller has enjoyed being part of the Millersburg community, supplying Ford, Chrysler and Jeep products. .
“There are a lot of great companies in this community, and a lot of them probably deserve this award just as much as we do,” Miller said. “It’s been a tough few years here with the inventory challenges and everything going on in the world, but we’ve found a way to have the best two years we’ve ever had.
“The reason for that is the people we’ve employed here,” Miller continued. “We have a lot of employees who have been here a long time, 25 to 30 years. Our parts business has exploded over the last 10 years. We realize in a small town, the importance of offering a good product and service even better. It’s the people here who help us do it. We’re grateful to the community that has been supporting us for a long time.
Village Motors employs 65 people, 45 of whom are full-time.
Other rewards
Love, INC, sponsored by Commercial & Savings Bank, and the Lifetime Award given to Sam Steimel, sponsored by The Hummel Group and posthumously accepted by Sam’s family, were also recognized for community service.
“It’s my favorite award,” Gerber said. “This region is so philanthropic and caring for those in need. I don’t think there is an organization that embodies that more than Love, INC.”
Love, Inc.
Love, In the Name of Christ (INC) started locally in 2014, is essentially an organization that helps churches organize to help others, according to CSB President Eddie Steiner.
“I often hear that Holmes County is a very special place,” Steiner said. “For families in need, the help they receive and the camaraderie they receive from others is exactly what makes Holmes County such a special place.”
Vicki Conn, Local Director of Love, INC accepted the award on behalf of all the volunteers and churches that make the organization successful. She said they started with a dozen churches and now there are more than 45 Love, INC. partner churches.
“Thank you for stepping in and making this possible,” Conn said. “The second part of our mission is to transform lives and communities in the name of Christ. The opportunity to see lives changed is absolutely amazing.”
Sam Steimel
“I am certainly honored to recognize the life of a dear friend, Sam Steimel,” Millersburg attorney Paul Miller said. “I had the privilege of watching Sam grow from a young boy into a kind and respectful professional. Sam never turned people down if he thought he could help them.
“Sam cared about his community, contributing financially or providing pro bono legal services to any nonprofit that asked for his help,” Miller continued. “No man deserves this year’s highest honor more than Samuel Mast Steimel, Esquire.”
Sam’s daughter, Brogan, said she thought her father would be extremely honored to know he was being commemorated and commemorated in this way.
Gerber added that there will be an annual meeting and awards banquet this year. The tentative date is November 3, 2022.
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