Tolland County Chamber Honors Local Businesses and Nonprofits at Annual Awards

The Tolland County Chamber of Commerce held its 60th annual meeting and awards ceremony, where chamber president Carla Vince opened the event and Kim Melissa Smith, the chamber's executive director, recognized committee members and sponsors including Berkshire Bank and Jennifer Lamphere State Farm Insurance.

The chamber presented its Best New Business award to SharHouse (a gluten-free microbakery). Dori Reiser praised the bakery's community gatherings and customer base; family members accepted the award on the owner's behalf.

The Corporate Citizen of the Year award went to the Ivy of Ellington for its community-engagement programs, including an 'Ivy Gives Back' initiative and partnerships with the Alzheimer's Association and other local nonprofits. Mejalisa Gulan read the nomination and highlighted the facility's local charitable work.

The chamber named the Community Voice Channel (CBC) nonprofit of the year. Elaine Booker (board member) presented the award; Melanie Merkel and Nick Levine were recognized for leading the public-access station that serves multiple towns. Merkel described CBC's free workshops, internships and streaming efforts and warned that declines in cable subscriptions threaten funding: “don't just watch TV, make it,” she said, urging attendees to support public access media.

Habitat for Humanity North Central Connecticut received a nonprofit award in recognition of its recent work: the organization completed 10 home projects in one year and mobilized thousands of volunteer hours. Daisy Paulus of Berkshire Bank presented the award and encouraged people to notify Habitat if they know vacant lots or properties suitable for building.

The chamber closed the evening with thanks to volunteers, board members and sponsors and a look ahead to the coming year.