{"id":362005,"date":"2025-11-07T10:53:14","date_gmt":"2025-11-07T10:53:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/362005\/"},"modified":"2025-11-07T10:53:14","modified_gmt":"2025-11-07T10:53:14","slug":"local-pride-and-business-growth-shine-at-phoenix-awards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/362005\/","title":{"rendered":"Local Pride and Business Growth Shine at Phoenix Awards"},"content":{"rendered":"

HERMITAGE, Pa. \u2013 Cowboy hats, boots and line dancing set the tone for the Shenango Valley Chamber of Commerce\u2019s annual Phoenix Awards, held Thursday night at the Corinthian in a country-western-themed celebration that honored the region\u2019s top businesses and organizations.<\/p>\n

Before the first award was handed out, Stephen Kelleher, chamber board president, fired off an enthusiastic \u201cYee haw!\u201d as he praised the chamber\u2019s momentum and outlook.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can assure you that this chamber has never been this chamber,\u201d Kelleher told the crowd. \u201cWe have more energy, more passion, more commitment, more dedication, more excitement, more vision, more creativity, more money than we\u2019ve ever had.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kelleher credited the chamber\u2019s renewed vitality to Executive Director Jim Bombeck, describing him as \u201can absolute whirlwind of a human being.\u201d<\/p>\n

The event began with line dancing and music, with most attendees embracing the western theme in denim, hats and boots. The casual fun set the stage for a night celebrating serious achievements among the Shenango Valley\u2019s businesses and organizations.<\/p>\n

Kelleher detailed the chamber\u2019s recent success, citing record membership growth, strong finances and new initiatives designed to help small businesses. Among them is a membership scholarship program created to help startups and emerging companies join the chamber by covering their first-year dues.<\/p>\n

\"ShenangoBoard President Stephen Kelleher addresses the audience.<\/p>\n

Chamber Treasurer Joe Salman expanded on that program during his remarks, announcing a major milestone.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re extremely excited to announce that we can self-fund that now and in perpetuity, and give new businesses a one-year, free membership and a taste of the chamber on our dime,\u201d Salman said. \u201cWe just think that\u2019s a great way to give back and help grow.\u201d<\/p>\n

Salman credited collaboration between the finance committee and local supporters, particularly the city of Hermitage, for helping the chamber become financially strong enough to support new members without relying on outside contributions.<\/p>\n

\"ShenangoWanted posters adorned the desert table.<\/p>\n

In his address, Bombeck praised the chamber\u2019s volunteers, sponsors and board members for their work behind the scenes and set the stage for the award presentations.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis evening is literally one of my favorite nights, because it gives us a chance to pause and reflect and celebrate what makes our community so great, and that\u2019s our people,\u201d Bombeck said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cEach of the awards we\u2019ll present tonight represents more than just professional success,\u201d he said. \u201cThey represent leadership and service and a commitment to something larger than oneself, the belief that when business and community work hand in hand, everyone rises.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Phoenix Award for Growth Business went to Hurricane Ventures, a Greenville-based manufacturer and distributor of Hurricane Fans.\u00a0<\/p>\n

President Alec Miller said the company has experienced remarkable expansion since its founding.<\/p>\n

\u201cYear-over-year, we\u2019ve grown our workforce by 300% as well as our revenue, and we\u2019ve taken a much bigger market share as a company as a whole,\u201d Miller said.<\/p>\n

\"ShenangoExecutive Director Jim Bombeck presents the Growth Business Award to Alec Miller, president of Hurricane Ventures.<\/p>\n

Miller said the company invested more than $1 million in new equipment to increase efficiency and wages for its workers.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Innovation Award was presented to the Hermitage Water Pollution Control Department for its Food Waste Digester system, the first municipally operated facility of its kind in the United States.<\/p>\n

Superintendent Wayne Covert said the program diverts millions of pounds of food waste from landfills each month, converting it into renewable energy that helps power the plant.<\/p>\n

\u201cToday, we process an average of 3.8 million pounds of food waste each month,\u201d Covert said. \u201cEach month, we capture about 1.5 million cubic feet of gas, which we use to fuel our combined heat and power generator. Our food waste program accounts for more than 9% of the plant\u2019s annual revenue, and despite inflation, it has helped keep sewer rates stable with no increase since 2013.\u201d<\/p>\n

Covert added that the system benefits multiple groups, the environment and local farmers, as well as residents and manufacturers, all while reducing costs and emissions.<\/p>\n

The New Business Startup Award went to Envy Hair and Nail Studio, owned by Amanda Bonner, who opened the salon in 2024.<\/p>\n

\u201cBeing a part of a small business in this community, we can join forces,\u201d she said. \u201cWe don\u2019t have to all do the same services or provide the same things for individuals, but we can still come together and show support for each other and have fun while doing it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Additional Phoenix Awards went to:<\/p>\n