Greater Utica Chamber honors four with “Business of the Year” awards

UTICA — The Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce recently honored two companies and two nonprofit organizations with its Business of the Year award.

The business winners included Northern Safety & Industrial of Utica in the “over 50 employees” category and Piggy Pat’s BBQ of Washington Mills in the “50 employees or fewer” category.

Northern Safety specializes in industrial, janitorial, material handling, and safety maintenance supplies, according to its website.

The nonprofit winners included Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute of Utica in the “over 50 employees” category and the Boilermaker Road Race in the “fewer than 50 employees” category.

The chamber evaluated and selected the finalists based on their staying power, response to challenges, products, services, and innovation; commitment to the Mohawk Valley, including longevity and community involvement; and their participation in the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce, the organization said.

The Greater Utica Chamber honored 11 area companies and organizations at its annual Business of the Year awards ceremony Dec. 12 at Twin Ponds Golf & Country Club in New York Mills.

Real-estate agent John Brown of Coldwell Banker Faith Properties served as the event’s keynote speaker.

Nearly 250 people attended the event, the chamber said.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com