Every year, the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce recognizes Chamber Members who have made outstanding achievements and contributions in the Crawfordsville and Montgomery County area. Award recipients are businesses, non-profits, and individuals who make up our vibrant business community. These recipients are celebrated at the Annual Dinner and Awards Program.

Awards were presented at the Annual Dinner on September 7, 2023. Scroll to the bottom to see all of the much-deserved recipients.

Nominations for Business of the Year Awards are closed for 2023.

SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR


The Small Business of Year has 50 employees or fewer and has  demonstrated success in at least one of the following: growth and stability, commitment to quality, creating unique solutions to challenges, and overall contribution to the community. They are above reproach in the areas of ethics, quality, service, and the development of its human resources. The Small Business of the Year projects a positive community image.

Recent Recipients:
​2023     Emporium 109
​2022    Jarocho Mini Market
​2021    Brother's Pizza Company
2020    WCDQ/WCVL/WIMC Radio
2019    Reclaimed by Grace
2018    Jarrod Zachary Welding
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Shawn Ramey from Acuity Brands awarded the 2023 Small Business of the Year award to Emporium 109.

LARGE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

PictureKim Keeling of Lakeside Book Company presented the Large Business of the Year Award to Acuity Brands Lighting.
The Large Business of Year employs more than 50 individuals and, like the SBoY, demonstrates success in at least one of the following: growth and stability, commitment to quality, creating unique solutions to challenges, and overall contribution to the community. They are above reproach in the areas of ethics, quality, service, and the development of its human resources. The Large Business of the Year projects a positive community image.

Recent Recipients:
2023    Acuity Brands Lighting 
2022    Lakeside Book Company
2021    Banjo Corporation
2020    Crawfordsville Electric Light & Power (CEL&P)
2019    Nucor Steel
​2018    Hoosier Heartland State Bank

LEW WALLACE ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

PictureAaron Baute and Stacey Dollahan of Ivy Tech Community College presented the Lew Wallace Entrepreneur Award to Ice Creams La Michoacana.
The Entrepreneur of the Year possesses a commitment to community, quality, and service, and creativity in approaching challenges. The Entrepreneur of the Year demonstrates an active participation in the Chamber and engages with fellow entrepreneurs and business leaders. 

Recent Recipients:
2023    Ice Creams La Michoacana
​2022    Shop Small Shop Handmade
​2021    Healthies
2020    Powerhouse Barbell & Fitness
2019    Francis & Mount
​2018    Backstep Brewing Company

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR


The Community Organization of the Year is awarded to a non-profit entity for work which has had a significant impact on the community. The recipient has accomplished a meaningful outcome (or made notable strides toward) solving a community issue or addressing a need that greatly impacts the community as a whole. 

Recent Recipients:
2023    Through the Gate
2022    Montgomery County Health Department
2021    Trinity Life Ministry
​2020    Montgomery County Community Foundation
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Brad Monts of Hoosier Heartland State Bank presented the Community Organization of the Year Award to the Through the Gate.

CHAMPION OF CHANGE

The Champion of Change is awarded to an individual who has demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Awardees have successfully brought about or significantly influenced cultural change in the areas of diversity and equality. 

Recent Recipients:
2023    Dr. Jill Lamberton of Wabash College
2022    Michelle Smith of Abilities Services, Inc.
​2021    Jill Knowling of Walmart Optical
​2020    Mayor Todd Barton
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Dr. Jill Lamberton from Wabash College was presented the award for Champion of Change from Steve McLaughlin of Tri County Bank & Trust.

WOMAN OF THE YEAR

The Woman of the Year is a woman business owner, or non-profit or business leader who have founded and run their own company, are exceptional leaders in the workplace and community, have achieved an exceptional professional accomplishment in the past year, and/or invest in the development of other women in the business community as a mentor. 

Recent Recipients:
​2023    Erin Azar of DES Engineering
2022    Lali Hess of The Juniper Spoon
2021    Sue Lucas of Crawfordsville Main Street
2020    Cheryl Morphew, CRMorphew Consulting - City of Crawfordsville​
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Erin Azar was presented the award for Woman of the Year from Leslie Pyle, Realtor from Morrison Realty, Keller Williams.

RISING STAR: YOUNG PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR

Young professionals are essential to the sustainability of local business. The Rising Star is awarded to an up-and-coming professional who embodies our mission of "advancing a vibrant business community" in the workplace and community at large. A Rising Star is an excellent role model who strives for continuous improvement for their organization as well as their personal development in their profession.  The awardee demonstrates innovation, passion, and is a vibrant professional under the age of 40 - someone to look out for on the horizon!

Inaugural Recipient:
2023     Brittany Carr, Everwise Credit Union
2022     Kyle Brown, Tri County Bank & Trust
2021    Jim Johnson, Fusion 54
​2020    Cody Hargis, Hoosier Heartland State Bank
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Brittany Carr was presented with the Rising Star: Young Professional of the Year award from BK Management.

Emerald Educators

The Emerald Educator awards recognize the outstanding innovation, adaptability, and organization shown by K-12 educators. This award recognizes an educator of each of the three Montgomery County school corporations. 
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Joy Jarvis from North Montgomery School District, Jenny Veatch from Crawfordsville School District, and Erin Jones from Southmont School District received the Emerald Educator Award presented by Dagny Zupin from Duke Energy.
Crawfordsville | Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce