Businesses and individuals from around the region have been honored with the 2024 Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber Business Recognition Awards.
Announced at the annual breakfast on Friday, the awards are intended to honor those businesses that have thrived and made a difference in southwest Michigan.
Chamber President Arthur Havlicek tells us it’s always a good feeling to salute the winners.
“It’s one thing to receive an award and be recognized for all the contributions, but to know that your peers selected you out of a crowded competitive field is meaningful, and that’s why I think a lot of the winners today got emotional up on stage, and it’s just a really cool thing to see,” Havlicek said. “It’s the culmination of their passion, I think, and we’re thrilled to just provide them with the moment.”
The winners were selected Friday live during the breakfast as chamber members got to vote on the spot.
The Best New Business Award went to Base Bowls and Company.
The Small Business of the Year is Pete’s Cider Social.
Receiving the Non-Profit Excellence Award was the Logan Autism Learning Center.
The Economic Impact Award went to Lane Automotive.
Justin “Juice” Koehneke of Watermark Brewing Company received the Rising Star Award.
Finally, Jim “Jimbo” Shelton was the winner of the Pat Moody Award.
Havlicek said he’s amazed by the energy shown by each winner and the entire southwest Michigan business community.
