Local chamber celebrates 'reinvigorated' business achievement awards
Local chamber celebrates ‘reinvigorated’ business achievement awards
Nine businesses took home awards during the 2025 Southern Georgian Bay Chamber of Commerce annual general meeting in Midland.
The regional awards celebrated 44 nominees across Midland, Penetanguishene along with the Townships of Tay and Tiny with roughly 100 attendees inside MegaMindful Living on King Street Wednesday.
“We’ve decided to switch it up, we were wanting a 2025 reset” said Chamber of Commerce interim manager Jenna Fitchett.
“This year with the new categories, it’s reinvigorated the business awards,” said Fitchett. “We’ve had more nominations this year than we’ve had since COVID.”
Former traditional awards were set aside for eight new categories and one returning category (Best New Business, awarded to Test Batches Brewery).
Friends of Wye Marsh won the Tourism award, while the Best Customer Service award went to Port McNicoll based Bayport Royal Canadian Legion Branch 545. Operation Grow was given the Innovation award and Sunday Restoration won the Environmental Sustainability award. The Young Entrepreneur of the Year went to Tyler Szabunia of Simcoe Welding & Design Ltd.
For Outstanding Contribution to North Simcoe, the award went to the Rotary Club of Midland. Thirteen nominations were provided for the Female Business Person of the Year award with Cate Smith of Penetanguishene Home Hardware declared the winner.
A Heritage award for businesses serving more than 50 years in the community was granted to Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Simcoe.
When asked how a business can thrive for five decades and win an award for such recognition, board chair Christine Vanderweg for Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Simcoe told MidlandToday it was a matter of integration.
“The key is to ingrain yourself within the community and make a difference to the community; I think that’s what helps you get to 50 years,” advised Vanderweg.
In a social media post following the awards presentation, the chamber added: “Thank you to everyone who submitted Business Award nominations this year and make sure to support our local businesses and organizations!”
Source: Google News
