NORWICH – Commerce Chenango hosted its annual soiree on Wednesday, awarding local businesses for their dedication to entrepreneurship, employees, and their community.

The event was held at NBT Bank in Norwich, and the award recipients were Principle Design Engineering, Oliver's Campers, and Blueox Energy Products and Neighborhood Markets.

According to Commerce Chenango President and CEO Steve Craig, this year's award winners followed an unofficial theme of, "young people with talent deciding to stay in Chenango County."

Principle Design Engineering owners Dan and Michael O’Reilly received the award for Entrepreneurs of the Year. Craig said they deserved the award because of the work they've put into overhauling unused buildings and repurposing them in our area.

Michael O'Reilly spoke at the event and said they were humbled to have even been nominated for the award, and said they plan to continue to live and invest into the area.

“We are the guys answering the phone, making the copies, drawing the plans and executing the project," he said. "We aren't owned by an out-of-area firm, and we certainly aren't just a small sub-let office."

"We're local, we live here, have families here and have a shared interest in not only seeing projects through, but working at rates that are reasonable and fair."

Blueox Energy Products and Neighborhood Markets was awarded Business of the Year after demonstrating consistent business growth, dedication to excellence and quality, and investment in their business, employees and the community.

Blueox Vice President of Business Growth and Development Julia Miller said, “We are honored to have been nominated for this award, but to actually receive it is a true testament to the team we have in place here at Blueox."

"Our people are innovative and forward-thinking and constantly challenge us as employers to do the same," said Miller. "That type of culture is infectious and has been a core principle in guiding our organization and moving things forward for our business."

The Commitment to Community Award was presented to the Oliver Family who Craig said has not only run their family owned and operated business since 1966, but continue to give back to the community in which they grew up, and now live in with their families.

Tyler Oliver spoke at the event and said, "We're just doing what we were raised to do."

Oliver said when growing up in the area he noticed his parents always doing things for the community, and that concept of giving back has continued to stick with him.

"You help people out, and you pick them up when you can," he said. "The more we help each other in the community, the better off we're going to be."

The Canasawacta Country Club catered the event. Other corporate sponsors included: Preferred Mutual Insurance Company, UHS Chenango Memorial and Golden Artist Colors.

Organized in 1959, Commerce Chenango is a not-for-profit, community based organization. Visit www.chenangony.org for more information on Commerce Chenango services and programs.