BEDFORD - The Bedford County Chamber of Commerce will present awards in November to a variety of businesses and people for qualities including economic success, longevity and community service.
"This year's award winners are a wide representation of businesses in the county," Chamber Executive Director Kellie Goodman-Shaffer said.
Honorees include UPMC Bedford Memorial Hospital, this year's inductee into the Business Hall of Fame.
UPMC Bedford Memorial is celebrating its 60th anniversary of serving people in Bedford County, hospital human relations vice president Michelle Speck said.
And the hospital is preparing to continue service well in to the future.
"Our focus is on telemedicine this year," Speck said. "With telemedicine, a doctor can use medical equipment such as a stethoscope connected to a computer to check a patient's heartbeat in a town 100 miles away."
Fact Box
Chamber awards
Excellence in Business, Small: LIFeSTYLE
Excellence in Business, Medium: P. Joseph Lehman Consulting Engineers
Excellence in Business, Large: Szanca Solutions
John Anderson Award: Bedford Gazette
Business Hall of Fame: UPMC Bedford Memorial
Employer Community Service: Kennametal Inc.
Excellence in Agri-Business: Zimmerman's Hardware
Excellence in Education: Scott Myers, Bedford County Technical Center & Future Farmers of America
Heritage Preservation: Downtown Bedford Inc.
Property Improvement: Fisher's Pharmacy
Innovation Award: DeNardi Imports and Exports
Volunteer of the Year: Jim Gonsman, First National Bank
Leadership Award: Dennis Shaffer, Chestnut Ridge School District
Economic Development: Bedford Reinforced Plastics
CAB Commitment: Everett Foodliner & Saxton Market
Chamber Spirit: Angie Horton, Bedford Grange Mutual/ Fortress Insurance
Athena Award: To be announced Nov. 17
Among businesses being awarded for economic development is Bedford Reinforced Plastics.
"This year could be a record year for sales," Director of Marketing Eric Kidd said. "We are anticipating in excess of $50 million in sales revenue."
The company, established in 1974, manufactures pultruded fiber glass to be used as a corrosion-proof substitute for steel or wood.
Kidd said government mandates for wastewater treatment has resulted in a boon for business.
"Our materials are also used for cooling towers at electricity power plants and for offshore drilling," Kidd said.
The chamber also is honoring individuals, including Volunteer of the Year Jim Gonsman.
Gonsman performs volunteer service in addition to his duties as vice president of commercial banking at Bedford's First National Bank.
"He is a board member for many groups, and he doesn't just sit on the board - he is a grunt worker," said Goodman-Shaffer.
Gonsman is a leader with Downtown Bedford Inc., Sunrise Rotary Club and Bedford United Methodist Church to name a few of his volunteer groups.
"Jim is incredibly deserving," Goodman-Shaffer said.
The chamber will present the awards during a Nov. 17 dinner at the Omni Bedford Springs Resort. To make a reservation for the dinner and awards program, call 623-2233.
Mirror Staff Writer Russ O' Reilly is at 946-7435.
