Alternatives Federal Credit Union was named as the winner of the David R. Strong Small Business of the Year and The Plantsmen Nursery was named the New Business of the Year.
Alternatives Federal Credit Union CEO Tristram Coffin was elated, saying, “We are thrilled and honored to be selected as the Chamber's Small Business of the Year. This recognition illustrates the power of business as a tool to make a positive difference in the lives of underserved people and communities.”
Dan Segal, owner of the Plantsmen Nursery, said, “We’re honored to receive the Chamber’s New Business Award because it validates our efforts to offer something unusual in the nursery/landscape field, and recognition from the Chamber adds depth to the growing credibility of our business. I also see it as a nod towards our genuine efforts to be a clean and green business while still managing to grow beyond a marginal enterprise. And as the award reflects on our civic involvement, we wouldn't be successful without the patronage and trust of our community, so we really enjoy supporting as many local projects as we can, as a way of showing our gratitude and giving back. It may sound corny but it's true!”
Ithaca College was named the Large Employer of the Year Award, and Finger Lakes ReUse was awarded the Not-for-Profit Organization of the Year from the Chamber of Commerce.
Ithaca College President Tom Rochon stated, “Being honored by the Chamber of Commerce as the Large Employer of the Year is an accolade that is truly shared by every single member of the Ithaca College community. Our faculty, staff, and students are constantly striving to find ways to support and contribute to the betterment of the larger community in which we all reside, and it is on their behalf that I accept this very meaningful recognition.”
As the recipient of the Not-for-Profit Organization of the Year, Diane Cohen, Executive Director of Finger Lakes ReUse, stated, “We're very pleased to receive this award from the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce; it is a great way to recognize our amazingly dedicated board of directors and hard-working staff of 13 employees; all of whom helped establish Finger Lakes ReUse as an organization with a clear and achievable mission: to enhance community, economy, and environment through reuse. We are grateful for the community support we’ve received since we opened the ReUse Center less than two years ago. We are happy to say that we have now re-purposed more than 100,000 unwanted items including furniture, housewares, building materials, computers, and electronics. We couldn’t have done any of this without key support from our volunteers, and all those who have supported our efforts from the start, particularly Tompkins County Solid Waste and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County.”
“The dozens of very qualified nominees for these awards were both a challenge and a delight. The awards committee members devoted many hours to reading the excellent applications, but it was a very real pleasure to learn more about these well-run and mission-driven businesses and organizations”, said Tompkins Chamber President, Jean McPheeters.
The Chamber Awards will be given to the recipients at two luncheons. The first will be on Thursday October 14 at the Lakewatch Inn, where Alternatives Federal Credit Union and The Plantsmen Nursery will receive their awards. The second luncheon will be on Friday November 19 at the Holiday Inn Downtown. Please go to www.tompkinschamber.org to register.
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