Dear Members,
Otsego County Chamber of Commerce Announces Annual Small Business & Breakthrough Award Recipients
Oneonta, NY — The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce is proud to announced its annual small business and Breakthrough award recipients:
Rustic Ridge Winery located on the Bennett family farm in Burlington Flats is the recipient of the Key Bank, NA 20th Annual Small Business of the Year Award. This award is given to an Otsego County business that has made a sustained and substantial impact in the community. Rustic Ridge Winery offers a diverse selection of New York State produced and bottled wines for your tasting pleasure and are a destination part of the Cooperstown Beverage Trail. Owners Rick and Laura Bennett have worked hard to make their dream come true serving their community and providing many opportunities for family friendly gatherings and events open to the community and visitors to our region.
Helios Care is the recipient of the Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield Breakthrough Business of the Year. This award is a celebration of innovation and entrepreneurial spirit and is given to a business or individual in Otsego County that has shown innovation, creativity, entrepreneurship and growth potential. Catskill Area Hospice and Palliative Care recently renamed itself Helios Care- Compassion, Choices, Dignity. The Chamber received a nomination from an anonymous family member that have recently used the palliative care program services and described the services of helping their family and loved one feel better about their long term illness in the setting of their own home. It was described by the family member as a “life changer” and breakthrough in their loved ones care as the palliative care program services in the home assisted their loved one with a decrease in multiple ER visits and acute care visits which was very challenging for the family living a distance away from the hospital.
Along with hospice and palliative care, Helios Care provides bereavement support, caregiver support and a camp for school-aged children and teenagers dealing with grief to share experiences and move through healing.
The Otsego County Chamber of Commerce and I are proud of our award winners because they exemplify the successes and contributions that ignite the fire of entrepreneurial spirit with collaboration and the drive to develop sustainable success. This moment provides a golden opportunity to recognize what these leaders of today add to our community and to shine a spotlight on the challenges and triumphs of some outstanding local leadership and to celebrate the unity that brings us together as a community.
The award winners will be honored at the Chamber’s Small Business Banquet that will be held on Thursday, November, 21, 2019 at The Otesaga Resort Hotel in Cooperstown. A Flamin’ Hot Cocktail reception with Hot Bloody Mary Cash Bar (Regular and non-alcoholic) will be available at 5:45 p.m. I look forward to seeing our membership at this spectacular event. Registration will open next week.
