Ottawa County Improvement Corporation Recognizes Business Leaders

Each year, the Ottawa County Improvement Corporation (OCIC) recognizes outstanding companies and individuals that have demonstrated success in business and have contributed to the growth and vitality of Ottawa County.  Awards are given in categories for small business (1 to 25 employees), medium business (26 to 100 employees) and large business (101 plus employees), business of the year, Bill Mack business leader, economic development partner, personal achievement, entrepreneur of the year, and volunteer of the year.  A committee of OCIC Trustees reviews and determines the award winners.

This year’s small business nominees were The Muffler Smiths (Port Clinton) and Ferguson Gallery (Marblehead).  The award was presented to Ferguson Gallery in the small business category.  Ferguson Gallery is owned and operated by local artist Cary Ferguson, who has been mastering the art of glass for more than 40 years. Ferguson Gallery has undergone a recent facility expansion, offering customers and art enthusiasts  a peak into the on-site glass blowing studio, and a gallery of Cary Ferguson’s glass pieces and recent expansion into painting of local landmarks.

Medium business nominees were Bassett’s Market (Port Clinton) and GenoaBank (Genoa).  The medium business category award went to Bassett’s Market.  Bassett’s Market was founded on the traditions of quality, value and personal service and has remained one of Ohio’s last Premier Independent Grocer’s. The business recently won the Pinnacle Award from the Ohio Grocer’s Association and was a major donor for the construction of the new Bassett’s Field at True-Lay Stadium in Port Clinton.

Nominees in the large business category were ACPO, Ltd. (Oak Harbor) and Magruder Hospital (Port Clinton). The large business category award was presented to ACPO, Ltd.  ACPO, Ltd. has 200+ employees that operate a 150,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art facility devoted solely to manufacturing self-wound pressure sensitive roll label films for the label printing and flexible packaging industries. In September of 2016, ACPO unveiled their newest line of barrier films and security technologies at Labelexpo Americas. The business has been a founding participant it the 9^th grad Ottawa County Career Showcase, promoting career opportunities locally.

The OCIC Entrepreneur Award was presented this year to Mike Shadoan, owner of Radiant Windows and Remodeling in Oak Harbor. Prior to starting the company 15 years ago, Mike was a design engineer in the window industry, working throughout North America.  Today, Radiant Windows employs 19 people and has seen steady growth in the northern Ohio market. Mike and the crew at Radiant Remodeling have been featured on the show Designing Spaces on Lifetime TV.

The Bill Mack Business Leader Award recognizes an individual business leader for their work and support of the community.  This year, the OCIC recognized Todd Hablitzel, owner of Oak Harbor Hardware.  Todd is a fourth generation owner and has expanded the store’s products and services over the years to meet the new demands of today’s customers. Aside from his ever thriving business, Todd has participated and donated his time towards community efforts, such as beautification project in downtown Oak Harbor and annual FFA fruit sale.

The Volunteer of the Year Award was presented three individuals: Pat Adkins, Port Clinton City School District Superintendent; Dr. Guy Parmigian, Benton-Carroll-Salem Local School District Superintendent; and Dan Parent, Danbury Local School District Superintendent. Their combined vision to bring the educational and business community together to enhance career development and workforce opportunities to our next generation of employees has resulted in one of Ohio’s only comprehensive countywide Business Advisory Councils. With the efforts of Pat, Guy and Dan, the Business Advisory Council has challenged more than 1,500 9th grade students to explore their interests and discover where their talents can take them, and in 2016 has connected 30 area students to job shadowing and 4 high school students to internships in local businesses that are earning them credit in school.

OCIC’s Economic Development Partner award was presented to the Lake Erie Charter Boat Association. The Lake Erie Charter Boat Association’s mission is to encourage and promote sound fisheries management in Lake Erie. The association’s Captains annually partner with Ohio Sea Grant to collect and analyze water data from Lake Erie to continue advocacy efforts for maintaining a clean lake and ecosystem. The LECBA partner’s with the Ohio’s Lake Erie Shores & Islands every year for Governor’s Fish Ohio Day that brings in elected officials and outdoor writers from across the state to experience our world-class fishery.

OCIC’s Personal Achievement Award was presented to Lafarge North America and the National Parks Service/Perry’s International Peace Memorial to recognize 100+ years in operation. Lafarge, originally known as Marblehead Supply, started around 1891 as several small privately owned quarries. Under Lafarge, the Marblehead quarry is one of the largest volume quarries along the Great Lakes and is active in helping the local community and school district. The National Park Service and Perry’s International Peace Memorial were jointly recognized for their 100+ years of service to our important national landmarks.  Locally, Perry’s International Peace Memorial was established to honor those who fought in the Battle of Lake Erie, during the War of 1812, and to celebrate the long-lasting peace among Britain, Canada and the United States.

The Business of the Year Award was presented to Magruder Hospital. Magruder Hospital has earned many national recognitions over the last several years and has again been acknowledged as one of the Top 50 Critical Access Hospitals to Know in 2015 by Becker’s Hospital Review. The hospital routinely contributes to local community health screenings, promotes healthcare careers in partnership with the Business Advisory Council and the Magruder Hospital Auxiliary recently awarded $7,500 to the hospital for the purchase of an Omnicell, an auto-dispensing medication machine. Magruder Hospital’s economic impact and community support is exemplary to the community.

The OCIC Business & Industry Awards were held on Wednesday, March 1st at the Liberty Aviation Museum in Port Clinton.  For more information on the OCIC, visit www.ocic.biz or find us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn.