FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Brien Poffenberger, Hagerstown-Washington County
Chamber of Commerce, 301-739-2015

Tim Troxell, Hagerstown-Washington County
Economic Development Commission, 240-313-2280

Washington County Business Awards Announces Finalists in Nine Award Categories, Academy-Award Style Event Takes Place at Duffy's and Maryland Theatre on WEDNESDAY Feb. 27th

EDC and Chamber of Commerce Co-Hosting 9th Annual Event - Largest Business Awards Program in Washington County New Award Categories Include Non-Profit Organization Recognition and Washington County Business Person of the Year Capital Steps to Perform
 
(Hagerstown, MD – February 21, 2008) — The finalists have been named for the 9th Annual Washington County Business Awards.  According to Tim Troxell, Executive Director of the Hagerstown-Washington County Economic Development Commission, this year's program will be better than ever.  “Both the Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Commission are pleased to again co-host this terrific event.  We're thrilled that the finalists represent some of the best companies and organizations in Washington County.”

Brien Poffenberger, the President of the Hagerstown-Washington County Chamber of Commerce, was excited to announce this year's finalists.  “After reviewing hundreds of nominations, the committee sent the completed nomination packets to the team of judges.  The finalists are truly great companies, and we congratulate everyone who will be honored at this year's event.”  Poffenberger also mentioned that new this year is the presentation of the Business Person of the Year, which used to be awarded at the Chamber of Commerce annual meeting.
 
Also, new this year includes the Non-Profit Impact Award, which was formerly presented at a separate Focus on Philanthropy event. This award includes the awarding of $1,000 donated by the Community Foundation of Washington County. 

The award finalists are listed below:

At Your Service Award:
Chic-fil-A
The Maryland Theatre
Weaver’s Restaurant & Bakery

Entrepreneurial Award:
Apparatus Repair & Engineering, Inc. 
Centra Bank, Inc.
Cosmic Pet Products

Innovation Award:
Car Wash Outpost
DatAchieve Digital
Kaplan College - Hagerstown Campus
Made in Washington County Award:
Cosmic Pet Products
Parker Plastics, Inc.
Sierra Nevada Corporation

Non-Profit Impact Award:
Boys & Girls Club
Leadership Washington County
United Way of Washington County, Maryland

Technology Award:
Cumberland Valley Analytical Services, Inc. 
NETCONN Solutions
Sierra Nevada Corporation

Vision Award:
Callas Contractors, Inc.
Corporate Office Properties Trust - COPT
Hagerstown Housing Authority

Workforce Development:
Citi
NETCONN Solutions
Sierra Nevada Corporation

Business Person of the Year:
John Barr
Merle Elliott
Ed Lough

According to Chamber President Brien Poffenberger, “The annual business awards is bigger and better than ever, with the inclusion of additional award categories and the Business Person of the Year. This year's Academy Awards-style evening of dinner, celebration, and entertainment will be different than any earlier year's program.”

This year the evening begins with a swank see-and-be-seen “food event” at one of Hagerstown’s hottest eateries, Duffy’s on Potomac, combining the charm of Hagerstown’s yesteryear with a modern take on the new downtown.  After dinner, the whole party will “red carpet” its way across the street to the Maryland Theatre.

EDC Executive Director Tim Troxell said, “This awards program will again focus on the best of our county, the real success in the business community.  With a total of nine categories, the program will highlight businesses that are setting new standards of excellence and charting our business community’s path for the 21st century. We urge everyone to attend.”

Following the awards ceremony at the Maryland Theatre, the house lights will dim, the curtain will open, and the Business Awards will host the Capitol Steps, the renowned political satire troupe from Washington, DC.

Tim Troxell said, “The Economic Development Commission views this event as an opportunity to celebrate the business community, the leaders in our community, and the renaissance of downtown Hagerstown. It's important that our involved and committed business organizations recognize our county's outstanding companies.  This is part of what makes Washington County such a great place to live, work and play.”

Chamber President Brien Poffenberger said that the excitement is building.  “This truly is a celebration of what's best in business. We very pleased to again join with the Economic Development Commission to host this terrific program, which reminds our community and its leadership about the inspiring businesses operating here today.”

The Washington County Business Awards celebrate the best in local business.  Nominations were gathered from hundreds of local businesses and individuals.  At last year's awards banquet over 400 people witnessed the twenty-one finalists vie for the top awards.  This year, eight winners from various business categories will be recognized, plus the Business Person of the Year will be announced. Trophies will be awarded to each of the winners.  Twenty-seven finalists in all categories will be recognized.  Judges include all the winners from last year's awards event.  Invitations have already been mailed out, but to join the celebration, call the Chamber of Commerce and order your tickets now: (301) 739-2015 x100.

Brien Poffenberger said, "While this annual program raises a lot of awareness for the business community, many members of the business community greatly contribute to help this event happen. The Chamber could not help host this annual extravaganza without many significant sponsors who have stepped forward to ensure the continuation of the Washington County Business Awards." Poffenberger said that this program was the single largest annual fund-raiser for the Chamber of Commerce.

The sponsors for this annual mega-event are:

Lead Sponsors:
After Five Productions
Centra Bank
First Data
Hagerstown Trust
Homewood Suites
Inertia Graphics
Maryland Theatre
Nassau Broadcasting Partners
Ridgerunner Publishing
Washington County Hospital

Major Sponsors:
M&T Bank
Susquehanna Bank
Tri-State Printing
Volvo Powertrain
Wachovia Securities -- Branch

Associate Sponsors:
Corporate Office Properties Trust - COPT
First National Bank of Greencastle
Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau
My Bank! First United
PNC
Holcim
University System of Maryland
Wright-Gardner

Supporting Sponsors:
Action Products
BJ's Custom Creations
Citi
Kaplan College
Orrstown Bank
Technical Innovation Center

9th Annual Washington County Business Awards
When: February 27, 2007, 5:00-9:30pm
Where: Duffy’s on Potomac/Maryland Theatre
28 South Potomac Street
Hagerstown, MD 21740
Price: $75 for Dinner, Awards, and Show
 

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