Small Business of the Year, : Oliver's Campers
Not in order, Andrew Oliver, Jim Oliver and Tyler Oliver of Oliver's Campers, joined by family matriarch and co-founder Shirley Oliver, 99 accept the Small Business of the Year award with Commerce Chenango president and CEO Sal Testani at the chamber's annual gala at the Canasawacta Country Club in Norwich.(Submitted photo)

NORWICH - Commerce Chenango would like to thank our community for their support of our Annual Gala this year. Commerce Chenango got the chance to showcase the strength of our community by presenting awards to four incredibly deserving businesses.

This year's event set a new attendance record, welcoming 160 guests to the Canasawacta Country Club. Sal Testani, Commerce Chenango President and CEO, states, "This event exists to celebrate the businesses that make our community so special."

Hannah Ryan, local business owner, shared the following after attending the Gala: "We're excited to connect with other local business owners, learn from community leaders, and continue growing both personally and professionally."

She continued, "As a small, family-owned business, we believe there is always something new to learn. We're looking forward to building relationships, supporting fellow local businesses, and being a part of the incredible work happening throughout our community."

The evening's awards recognized four businesses whose work embodies that spirit.

Sharon Vesley, Executive Director of The Place, received the Commitment to Community award. Vesley shared personal examples of the impact their organization has on the people it serves. She also thanked her board members, staff, and community partners for making that impact possible.

Andy Lagoe, Michael Lagoe and Gilbert Hodges of Gilligan's received the Entrepreneur of the Year award from Mark Golden, former CEO of Golden Artist Colors. They expressed their gratitude to the Sherburne community for supporting the Gilligan's Fresh Market, their latest endeavor.

Andrew Oliver of Oliver's Campers received the Small Business of the Year award, alongside his father, Jim and his brother, Tyler. Andrew Oliver detailed the history of Oliver's Campers, recounting hardships, successes, and the beauty of operating a family-owned business.

A highlight of the night was when three generations of the Oliver family accepted their award together. Shirley Oliver, the family's matriarch and co-founder of the organization, is 99 years old. Her presence received a standing ovation from the entire room.

Gregory LaMonica and Peter DeRensis of the Norwich Wealth Management team took the opportunity to praise the community while accepting their Member of the Year award. LaMonica, hailing from Southern California, appreciates the strong sense of community in Chenango County. DeRensis decided to move back to Norwich after being raised here, and echoed LaMonica's sentiments.

Commerce Chenango's director of economic development, Tyler J. Oliver, closed the evening with remarks that paired gratitude with a look at the county's momentum. He thanked Testani for the opportunity to take on the role, joking that its demands had accelerated his hair loss in the time since.

Oliver said he has known Testani most of his life and never imagined the two would one day work together.’ “I’ve known Sal for most of my life, and if you had told me when I was 16 years old that one day we'd be working together to figure out how to extend water and sewer infrastructure across multiple municipalities, I probably would have laughed in your face. Yet here we are.”

"What we did share was a genuine love for this community and a desire to see it succeed," Oliver said. "In many ways, that's where meaningful economic development begins."

He spent much of his remarks highlighting projects taking shape across Chenango County. This fall, Commerce Chenango will celebrate the opening of a new Early Learning Center on the first floor of its building, a facility designed to serve more than 50 children under the age of 3. Around the same time, Oliver said, a 50-room boutique hotel is expected to open in the heart of downtown Norwich.

He pointed to improvements underway at the YMCA and the long-awaited renovation of the Blue Bird building as further signs of progress. Oliver said the organization has secured funding to study future development at Woods Corners, help property owners rehabilitate vacant rental units and develop economic strategies aimed at long-term success.

He also previewed a new countywide branding initiative to help tell the area's story to visitors, businesses and future residents, along with progress toward establishing a countywide Land Bank, which he called another important tool to address blight and support redevelopment.

"You can't drive down Route 12 today without seeing signs of progress," Oliver said. "That's the sign of a healthy community, one that believes in itself and continues moving forward."

Oliver closed by acknowledging Testani, crediting him with making Commerce Chenango stronger and calling him one of the most passionate advocates for Chenango County he has known.

"The foundation he helped build has positioned us for continued success," Oliver said. "While those are incredibly big shoes to fill, I am grateful for the opportunity to carry that work forward."

Commerce Chenango would like to thank our sponsors and partners: NBT Bank, NBT Insurance Agency, Blueox Energy, The Canasawacta Country Club, Dano Wakefield, Empire Live Sound, Jacq Photography, Principle Design Engineering PLLC, P.A.K. Construction, and The Trophy Guy Awards & More.

- Tyler Murphy, Evening Sun, contributed to this story.