(3-6-26) Last night the St. Marys Area Chamber of Commerce held their 2025 Annual Award Banquet at the USWA Union Hall in St Marys.

Mike Makely- Outstanding Business Person of the Year

St. Marys Mayor Joe Hurlburt accepts Chamber Champion Award for the City of St. Marys

Award Descriptions —

Emerging Business of the Year

This award is given to a business with less than 3 years of operation. It will give recognition to that business who has not only thrived, but grown and flourished in its period of operation. This business is also beginning, if not proficient in its activities to improve or enhance the quality of life in the community.

Non-Profit Organization of the Year

Presented to the non-profit organization which has shown a dedication to the improvement of the quality of life within the community. This could be demonstrated through a project, service, or sponsorship that has had a positive impact on the communit during th past year.

The Good Neighbor Award

Presented to a nominee that is headquartered outside of St. Marys. The business will have helped to improve the quality of the St. Marys Community through the contributions of time and resources. The nominee is not required to have an office in St. Marys, but they must have an established customer base.

Outstanding Business Person

Presented to the person nominated by his or her colleagues for being an outstanding person to work for and with. This person will have contributed substantially to the success of his or her business and will be considered a humanitarian to those around him or her. The nominee will also possess a desire to see and work for the over all improvement of St. Marys, its business climate and quality of life, not solely for individual personal advancement.

Most Improved Property Award

Presented to the business who has improved the visual appearance of their property. Someone who has make noticeable improvements visible to the passer by.

Frank C. Murray Award

Presented to the individual or group who has represented St. Marys in a positive and professional manner to the world around this area. The nominee will have promoted a positive image of the local community through vocal contact and /or actions, to those people outside of St. Marys. This individual has made many contributions to aid community oriented projects through the use of his or her personal time or resources.

Business of the Year

Presented to the nominee who has shown a dedicated interest in the community through participation and leadership in several areas within the community. The business will have given unselfishly of time and resources for the benefit and gain of the improvement of the quality of life in St. Marys. It also involves staying power – a substantial history as an established business, growth in number of employees, increase in sales, and evidence of contributions to aid community oriented projects through the use of his or her personal time or resources.