{"id":539,"date":"2021-05-28T10:58:20","date_gmt":"2021-05-28T02:58:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gochambers.com\/globalupdates\/?p=539"},"modified":"2021-05-28T10:58:20","modified_gmt":"2021-05-28T02:58:20","slug":"businesses-and-individuals-celebrated-for-community-involvement-at-chamber-awards-event","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gochambers.com\/globalupdates\/latest-news\/businesses-and-individuals-celebrated-for-community-involvement-at-chamber-awards-event\/","title":{"rendered":"Businesses and individuals celebrated for community involvement at Chamber awards event"},"content":{"rendered":"
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BEMIDJI — After an entirely digital ceremony in 2020, the Bemidji Area Chamber of Commerce was able to once again celebrate entrepreneurs and community involvement face-to-face.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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On Thursday, at the Hampton Inn and Suites, the Chamber gave six awards to community members, including its annual Charlie Naylor Lifetime Achievement Award. The person honored for his life’s work at the event was Pete Aube, the retired plant manager at the PotlatchDeltic sawmill.<\/p>\n

After getting his education at the University of Minnesota, Aube began a 40-year career in forestry products. According to a video presentation about Aube, his work was integral to building the sawmill located just eight miles southeast of Bemidji off of U.S. Highway 2.<\/p>\n

In addition to establishing the sawmill, the largest in Minnesota, Aube served on regional, state and national forestry committees. He also served on boards related to Greater Bemidji Economic Development, the Chamber, the United Way of Bemidji Area and more.<\/p>\n

In his post-presentation speech, Aube praised the Bemidji area as the best in Minnesota.<\/p>\n

“Bemidji is truly a special place,” Aube said. “I’ve lived around the state in other communities and there’s nothing like this. There is no place else I’d choose to live.”<\/p>\n

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Aube also expressed his excitement for the years to come.<\/p>\n

“I can’t wait to see what the future holds,” Aube said. “In touting this award, I will value it for the rest of my life and I’ll use it to further motivate me to work with all of you to build an increasingly prosperous and caring Bemidji.”<\/p>\n

Other award categories included Entrepreneur of the Year, New Business of the Year, Wellness in the Workplace, Community Impact and Business of the Year.<\/p>\n

For Entrepreneur of the Year, Tracie Lusby and Jaimee Labernik of the Bluebelle Event Venue won. The other nominees included:<\/p>\n