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.

Nominations for 2023 Emerald Educator Awards are open! Awards will be presented at the Annual Dinner in September. Scroll to the bottom to make a nomination.

Nominations for 2023 Business of the Year Awards will open in July 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:
​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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Michael Lowe of Brother's Pizza Company and Shawn Ramey from Acuity Brands awarded the 2022 Small Business of the Year award to Minerva Baez Sanchez and Joaquin Vega Castaneda from Jarocho Mini Market.

LARGE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

PictureChuck Dixon of Tri-County Bank & Trust presented the Large Business of the Year Award to Lakeside Book Company represented by Lori Lawton, Kim Keeling, Mike Wilson and Richard Vogler.
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:
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

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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:
​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:
2022    Montgomery County Health Department
2021    Trinity Life Ministry
​2020    Montgomery County Community Foundation
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Ken Clarke of Trinity Life Ministry presented the Community Organization of the Year Award to the Montgomery County Health Department.

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:
2022    Michelle Smith of Abilities Services, Inc.
​2021    Jill Knowling of Walmart Optical
​2020    Mayor Todd Barton
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Michelle Smith of Abilities Services, Inc. was presented the award from the 2021 recipient, Jill Knowling from Walmart Optical.

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:
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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Lali Hess of The Juniper Spoon was presented the award for Woman of the Year from the 2021 recipient, Sue Lucas from Crawfordsville Main Street.

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:
2022     Kyle Brown
2021    Jim Johnson
​2020    Cody Hargis, Hoosier Heartland State Bank
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Kyle Brown from Tri-County Bank & Trust was presented with the Rising Star: Young Professional of the Year award from the 2021 recipient, Jim Johnson from the Indiana State Senate.

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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Josh Thompson from North Montgomery High School and Reasley Thompson from North Montgomery High School are shown receiving the 2022 award from Dan Rhodes from Duke Energy. Not pictured: 2022 recipient Gary Linn from Crawfordsville High School.
Crawfordsville | Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce