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Belpre Area Chamber of Commerce presents awards

The award winners and new city key holders from Thursday’s Belpre Area Chamber of Commerce Dinner. (Photo by Madeline Scarborough)

BELPRE — Belpre Mayor Mike Lorentz presented Pat Minnite Sr. and Karen Waller with a key to the city at Thursday evening’s Belpre Area Chamber of Commerce Dinner.

“Each of them has done so much for us and to make our city a better place,” said Lorentz.

The 81st annual dinner highlighted the year’s milestones concerning business and economic growth in Belpre.

“It has been a great year and I am so proud of the accomplishments reached,” said Kelly Cox, Belpre Area Chamber of Commerce president.

The evening’s guest speaker was Greg Kozera, the marketing director for Shale Crescent USA, a nonprofit and non-government organization whose mission is to bring high wage jobs into the Mid-Ohio Valley.

Attendees listen to Greg Kozera give his speech at Thursday night’s Belpre Area Chamber of Commerce Dinner. (Photo by Madeline Scarborough)

“There is a pride here you don’t see often,” Kozera said.

Kozera talked about how a title is not needed to be a leader.

He presented the chamber with studies and graphs showing the success of Shale and where it has room to continue going.

“This is the power of an organization with a community behind it,” Kozera said.

People and businesses receiving awards were:

∫ Belpre Area Chamber of Commerce President Appreciation: Kelly Cox

∫ Spirit of the Chamber: Lindsay Balsimo

∫ Ambassador of the Year: Tony Brown with Brown Owl Imaging

∫ Business Person of the Year: Nancy and Mark Miller with Miller Prosthetics

∫ Entrepreneur/Small Business of the Year: Denise Belair with Belair’s Bistro

∫ Spirit of the Community: Michael Tucker with West Virginia Central Credit Union

∫ Non-Profit of the Year: Habitat for Humanity Mid-Ohio Valley

∫ Business of the Year: Boxers Bed and Biscuits

∫ Business and Marketing Award: Zenergy Massage, Kenna Lewis

∫ Spirit of Economic Development: Kirk McCall and Bob Raunch

∫ Spirit of Belpre Homecoming: Matt Matheny

∫ Citizen of the Year: Larry Arnold.

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