MOUNT VERNON – The Knox County Chamber of Commerce has announced the nominees for its annual awards ceremony to be held virtually on Friday, Jan. 8, 2021.
Businesses, organizations and individuals will be recognized and honored for their contributions to the area's quality of life in Ohio during the year of 2020. The awards will be presented by the Chamber along with corporate sponsor The Energy Cooperative.
Each year the Chamber and its Ambassadors nominate people and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to their communities and the state of Ohio.
The nominees for this year's “Environmental Sustainability Award” include the Ariel Development Foundation, Kenyon College and Replex Plastic.
Nominees for the “Heart Award” are the Ariel Foundation - Riverview Park, Knox Community Hospital - Wright Family Medical Pavilion, and the YMCA.
The “Quality of Life Award” nominees are the Knox County Foundation, New Directions and radio station WNZR.
For the “Volunteer of the Year Award,” the nominees are Tonya Boucher, Lisa Lloyd and Dena Hess-McKinstry.
The “Investor in the Future Award” nominees are the city of Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon City Schools, the Mount Vernon Nazarene University - Gateway Project, Riverside Recovery Services and SPI Spot.
For the “Women in Business Leadership Award,” nominees include Lorraine Boss of Buckeye Stoves & Step into Fitness, Jen Odenweller of the Ariel Foundation and Amy Smart of Riverside Recovery Services.
Nominees for the “Small Business of the Year Award” are Knox Area Transit, McDaniel CPA and The Bad Apple Pub.
AMG Industries, CES Credit Union and Knox Public Health are the nominees for the “Business of the Year Award.”
Nominees for the “Entrepreneur Spirit Award” are Everlasting Cup, Half Baked Café and Ohio Corporate Photographer.
Melanie Bolender, Lisa Lloyd and Amy Smart have been nominated for the “Leadership Knox Distinguished Alumni Award.”
The “Judy Klavins Ambassador of the Year Award" and the "Lifetime Achievement Award” will also be announced on a virtual video on Jan. 8.
For information or to register for the event, go to Knoxchamber.com. To learn about sponsorship opportunities, email Programs@knoxchamber.com.
