The Richland County Chamber of Commerce presented their Small Business of the Year Awards on Thursday, Nov. 21 at the Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging Training Center. The 2013 award recipients included Derrenberger’s Restaurant & D.W. Catering, Forbes Rehab Services, Inc., and Shelby/Mansfield KOA Resort and Two Cousins Pizza Company.
Richland Bank President and Chamber Vice-Chair John Brown recognized the community engagement that takes place in the county and the efforts to help local businesses grow and expand.
“One of the ways we can do,” he continued, “is to be advocates for Richland County. Support Be Focal Buy Local. We have a holiday campaign in support of Be Focal Buy Local and that’s ‘Choose Richland for the Holidays.’ Those are the types of things that each and every one of us can do to make this a better place to live and work and raise a family.”
Brown recognized all of the award finalists which included, in addition to the award recipients, Antonelli’s Personal Training Systems, Cornell’s IGA Supercenter, Inc.; and Jones Potato Chip Company.
Awards were made in four categories. Derrenberger’s Family Restaurant received the Female/Minority Small Business of the Year award. Derrenberger’s, also a full catering service, has been in business since 1966 when Jack Derrenberger was a manager for Howard Johnson’s. Deb Woods took ownership of the business when her father passed away and has weathered the transition this year to their new location at 1120 Lexington Ave.
Woods accepted the award and tearfully said, “Our employees are a lot more important than I am. They stuck out all last summer with us when we were unemployed and trying to find a new place and without Juanita, Sheltons and Dean Icewaters, and Cindy, and my husband, and our daughter Jennifer—they deserve all this, not me.”
The Manufacturing/Industrial Award was given to Forbes Rehab Services. Forbes was founded by Paul and Pam Forbes in 1987. They design, manufacture and distribute assistive technology products for individuals with all levels of disabilities with a current focus on electronic output devices for individuals who are unable to speak. The Forbes accepted the award.
“It’s the employees who make a company, and we have some of the best, most dedicated, passionate employees anywhere and they have helped our company grow substantially, and this has been their award,” said Paul Forbes.
Two Cousins Pizza Company was awarded the Entrepreneurial award. Brad and Bill Konves created the business with a focus on the local community.
Brown stated, “They wanted to create, not just a successful pizza shop, but a business that would also be an integral part of the community from an economic and social standpoint. They’ve been actively involved with over 15 local nonprofit groups including churches, PTAs and kids’ sports teams, and they run a free feed for local law enforcement officers and firefighters who have to work on Christmas day. They work with local companies such as Marianne’s Meats to support the Be Focal Buy Local campaign.”
The Shelby/Mansfield KOA Resort captured the Retail/Service Small Business of the Year Award. Gary and Vicki Cole own the resort. The campground was started by Gary Cole’s parents in 1968 as the Wagon Wheel Campground. They offer numerous amenities including a banquet center, deluxe cabins, zip line, fishing pond, gem mining, and laser tag.
They were recently recognized by KOA as a resort, only the second campground in the US and Canada to attain that title. The Coles were unable to attend the reception because the resort was recognized as the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds Medium-Sized Park of the Year and they were at that award reception. In 2013, they were awarded the President’s Award for receiving the highest awards in customer service from their campers and the KOA Founders Award for receiving top scores in KOA’s annual quality review.
KOA Manager Amy Reese accepted the award on their behalf and said, “With all the national recognition we have received, as important as that is to us, this means so much more to us; and they [Gary and Vicki Cole] felt so bad they could not be here tonight because being recognized locally means the world to us.”
To be considered for the 2013 Small Business of the Year Award, the nominated business had to be headquartered in Richland County and employ no more than 50 full-time employees, be well-established, and be growing and profitable for the most recent annual reporting period. The nominees also had annual sales revenue of less than $10 million and demonstrate an active concern for the community.
Each of the award recipients received a clock provided by Century Link, Graham Automall, Hamilton Insurance, Mechanics Bank, and Medical Mutual.
“It’s the employees who make a company, and we have some of the best, most dedicated, passionate employees anywhere and they have helped our company grow substantially, and this has been their award,” said Paul Forbes of Forbes Rehab Service.
