Community Awards Committee

The main function of the community awards committee is to solicit nominations from the Gates and Chili community for the following categories.

Beautification Awards –Town of Gates & Town of Chili (one each)

Recognizes an individual or organization for new construction or restoration of existing facilities to enhance the area.

Joseph Entress Memorial Award – Economic Development

Recognizes an individual or organization for on-going improvement encouraging continued economic development in the area.

Innovative Business Award

Acknowledges an existing or recent addition to the business community which has stimulated economic growth and commerce, with regards to product demand and originality of the enterprise.

Culture and Arts Award

Recognizes an individual or organization whose talents or patronage has strengthened the understanding, appreciation and support of art and culture as an integral part of community life.

Outstanding Citizen

Recognizes an individual located in or servicing the Gates and Chili area, who has contributed to the betterment of the community.

Youth Leadership Award

Acknowledges a youth group or individual (21 years or under) who lives or works in the Gates and Chili area who has provided leadership in a business or business association, community service to others and serves as a role model among their peers.

Young Professionals Award

Acknowledges an emerging leader between the ages of 24 and 36 who demonstrates excellence, creativity and initiative in their business or profession, has a proven commitment to service by contributing time and energy to improving the quality of life of others in the community, and serves as a role model both personally and professionally.

Dream Big Award - Small Business of the Year Award

This award embodies the Spirit of Innovation-they often start small but DREAMBIG.We applaud the example they set, and the enormous contribution they make to our area’s economy.

The award committee is responsible for developing the press release calling for nominations, circulating the nominating forms throughout the community, collecting and tabulating all the nominations and presenting a voting ballot to the Chamber’s Board of Directors. Upon the Board’s selection of winners, the committee then notifies the winners of their award by mail and a follow-up telephone call. The committee develops a press release announcing the winners and works in close concert with the Program Committee in the planning and preparation for the Annual Community Awards Gala and Banquet where the winners are publicly recognized for their accomplishments.