Three area businesses honored

Three local businesses were recognized Tuesday morning for their successes and contributions to the community.

Sherman Lake YMCA and Outdoor Center, Sealcoating Plus and local dentist Dr. Michael Glass all were honored — in three categories — for their workplace accomplishments.

"It feels good to be part of something in Battle Creek that recognizes small business," Glass said. "Sometimes we get in the shadows of things, so this feels good."

The Battle Creek Area Chamber of Commerce's May Eye Opener breakfast featured speaker Thomas Harvey, an expert in social welfare and director of the nonprofit leaders degree program at the University of Notre Dame.

Setting the stage for the annual business awards that are sponsored by the chamber, the NonProfit Alliance and the Urban League of Battle Creek, Harvey asked, "How does a city go about the awareness process?"

He answered himself, saying the chamber is doing this already by including two additional awards focusing on minorities and nonprofit organizations.

"The very diverse sponsorship of this event suggests Battle Creek is open to the process," he said. "The quality of our life is not going to depend on the accumulation of wealth — we need the opportunity to be part of and exposed to other diverse groups."

The following awards were presented:

• Small Business of the Year Award to Sealcoating Plus.
• Nonprofit Business Award to Sherman Lake YMCA and Outdoor Center.
• Randall Brock Memorial Award, Minority Entrepreneur of the Year to Dr. Michael Glass.

"Their consumer base has grown over 30 percent and in the past two years they have doubled their annual support campaign," Cathy Lucas of the NonProfit Alliance said of the Sherman Lake YMCA.

Kathleen Mechem, chamber president and chief executive officer, presented the award for Small Business of the Year.

"They (Sealcoating Plus) have averaged 39 percent growth per year since they opened in 1998 and 884 percent growth in sales," Mechem said. "They also provide discounted services to nonprofit organizations and churches."

 Stacy Hanna covers business. She can be reached at 966-0468 or sthanna@battlecr.gannett.com . 

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