Published: May 05, 2009 08:03 pm         

TRIBUNE-STAR EDITORIAL: Chamber recognizes great contributions

TERRE HAUTE — With so much attention these days focused on hard times in the world of business, it’s nice to step back and redirect focus onto good things happening in the business community.

Thanks to the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce, that’s what happened late last week when the organization presented the Briefcase Business Showcase Awards during a day-long event at Ivy Tech Community College.

The major awards announced at the event could not have gone to more deserving recipients:

• Small Business of the Year Award — Terre Haute Bowling Center, for exemplifying the spirit of free enterprise, risk-taking, innovation and strengthening community spirit. The southside business could have easily packed it in last spring when heavy floods put it underwater. Bringing a business such as the bowling center back from disaster is an awesome feat, and we join the community in applauding this effort.

• Fastest Growing Company Award — Marion Manufacturing, the West Terre Haute-based company that showed incredible growth in recent years. Marion makes precision machine and manufacturing components, and its aggressive business practices have allowed it to experience 40 percent growth each year over the past five years. This is obviously a company with vision, expertise and the drive to succeed in a competitive climate.

• Family Friendly Business Award — Baesler’s Market, the longtime family business that has a large and loyal customer base that reaches far beyond its location on the east side of Terre Haute. Baesler’s was recognized for its commitment to employees by implementing family-friendly practices into its everyday business activities. Offering scheduling flexibility for employees allows them to live their lives to the fullest. And we’re certain it also helps keep the store’s loyal customer base expanding.

• Environmentally Friendly Business Award — Union Hospital Health Group, which operates a number of health-care facilities including medical clinics, labs and Union Hospital in Terre Haute. Two years ago, Union purchased and installed a device called an “Ozonator,” sterilization technology that converts oxygen into ozone to sterilize hospital waste, then converts the unused ozone back into oxygen. Employing this technology has allowed the company to reduce its trips to the landfill by 40 percent. While the equipment is expensive, it will pay for itself in the long run and will help the local environment as well.

These awards provide positive recognition to their recipients, and we commend the Chamber of Commerce for developing a way to shine a spotlight on these impressive efforts by local businesses.