Licking County Chamber of Commerce Hosts Annual Gala & Awards Celebration

The Licking County Chamber of Commerce held its Annual Gala and Awards Celebration on August 8 at the Reese Center on the campus of Ohio State at Newark/COTC. This prestigious event brought together community leaders, businesses, and nonprofit organizations to celebrate the achievements of the past year and to honor those who have made significant contributions to the Licking County community.

During the event, the Chamber expressed its gratitude to the outgoing board members for their dedication and service:

• Ruben Clark, RevLocal, Past-Chairman
• Jason Hall, TrueCore Federal Credit Union, Treasurer for the past 4 years
• Chuck Moore, Food Pantry Network of Licking County
• Jennifer Roberts, Newark Campus Development Fund, Thomas J. Evans Foundation & Gilbert Reese Family Foundation

• Treasurer – Jeff Wilson, Park National Bank
• Chair-Elect – Joe Gebhart, Shai-Hess Commercial Real Estate
• Chairman – Tabby Hahn, Edward Jones

• Kelli Hunt, First Federal Savings
• Jocelyn Hartshorn, TrueCore Federal Credit Union
• Melissa Owens, Licking County Aging Partners
• Jimmy Peck, MPW Industrial Services Group and PortaKleen
• Greg Wallis, Licking Memorial Health Systems

• Connecting educators and businesses through a collaborative showcase.
• Celebrating Manufacturing Day and introducing hundreds of high school students to the industry.
• Compiling a Business and Education Partnership Directory with nearly 100 companies.
• Welcoming 95 new members and matching 15 young professionals with seasoned leaders in a mentorship program.
• Hosting 78 events with approximately 8,000 attendees.
• Celebrating 17 new businesses with ribbon-cutting ceremonies.
• Distributing $6,000 to area nonprofits through the Young Leaders Giving Fund.
• Qualifying 52 companies for the Ohio BWC rebate through Safety Council, resulting in significant savings.
• Sharing 223 member job postings, generating nearly 12,000 views.

• Business of the Year: Project Construction Company
  Founded in 1980, Project Construction Company has made significant contributions to the Licking County and Central Ohio areas. Under the leadership of owners Luke Baus and George (Tony) Fox, the company has experienced tremendous growth while maintaining strong relationships with local businesses and non-profit organizations. Their commitment to quality and community involvement is demonstrated through their support of various local institutions, volunteer programs, and charitable initiatives.
• Nonprofit of the Year: Food Pantry Network of Licking County
  The Food Pantry Network (FPN) has transformed its Brice Street location into a grocery store-style experience, enhancing access to healthy food options. The Network’s collaboration with Licking Memorial Health Systems has further expanded access to food in the community. In the past year, FPN served 63,000 households and distributed 4.25 million pounds of food through its 18 pantries and various meal programs.
• Employee of the Year: Ben Shirley, Behavioral Healthcare Partners
  Ben Shirley’s dedication to helping others extends beyond his work hours. His inspiring personal journey from homelessness and addiction to becoming a community leader has made a profound impact. Ben’s unwavering commitment to making a difference and his positive attitude have earned him this well-deserved recognition.
• Young Professional of the Year: Jayme Blackstone, C-TEC of Licking County
  Jayme Blackstone has demonstrated exceptional dedication to education and community involvement. In her role as Career Development Coordinator at C-TEC, Jayme has been instrumental in raising awareness of trade occupations among young girls and coordinating activities that connect local businesses with schools. Her volunteerism and leadership have made a lasting impact on Licking County, embodying the essence of a young leader.