Not even a pandemic can curtail our enthusiasm for the future of Batavia. After all, we have the honor to announce a multitude of award winners that inspire us to do better and be better. Even though we aren’t giving an award to all the businesses in Batavia – we wish we could – we applaud each and every one of them for their absolute resolve to not only survive COVID-19 but emerge stronger.
2020 Ole Award Winners
Last week we announced seven Batavia businesses/buildings as winners of our annual Ole Awards. The Ole Award is an award started in 1976 by a group of people who had a love and passion for their community and wanted to promote the city of Batavia. They chose the name Ole to honor the hard-working Swedish settlers that were among the first to call Batavia home. These awards are given to Batavia businesses for a significant improvement and investment either for new construction or remodel.
These businesses will be honored during our Inspire 2021 event, tentatively scheduled for Thursday, May 20. Awards go to Oak & Swine and Six + Cypress for their commercial remodeling. A new construction award goes to the Batavia Boardwalk Shops, also in the commercial category. In the industrial category, Cratos, LLC. will receive an award for the new building at 1850 E. Fabyan Parkway. Industrial remodeling awards go to Cast Aluminum Solutions Research and Development Technical Center, SD Wheel and Midwest Industrial Funds/Second City Prints.
At the same event, the Batavia Environmental Commission is presenting a Green Ole to Batavia business GreenSeed Contract Packaging for their conscious efforts to contribute to environmental sustainability by utilizing less water and reducing waste.
Citizen of the Year, Spirit of Batavia
Last month we announced that Robert ‘Bob’ Hansen is the 2020 Citizen of the Year (COTY) recipient. Additionally, the Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry and Clothes Closet is the Spirit of Batavia award winner for 2020. Because of 2020′s unique circumstances, special projects/initiatives emerged in Batavia last year. The COTY selection committee felt that two of them deserved special recognition and created the Batavia Community Impact Award. Selected to receive the honor for 2020 are:
· Taking Care of Our Caretakers led by Jamie Saam and Sarah Vogelsinger; with Kurt Hagemann, Marcia Boyce, Abby Beck, Jamie Koc and Katie O’Brien on the committee
· Batavia Peace Rally, June 3, 2020 led by Isabella Irish and Katya Smith
Finally, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention our own ambassador superstar, Michelle ‘Mike’ Burke, who will be presented as the 2020 Ambassador of the Year. Mike excelled by attending as many events – virtually and in-person – as she could to welcome new members and help them to connect with other members.
We certainly are looking forward to celebrating all these inspiring honorees in May! Watch for more details to unfold in the upcoming months.
Batavia Restaurant Madness to Resume
After having to cancel this fun week of eating last year because of the pandemic, we are excited that it is a go for March. Not only will it resume, but instead of only one week, participating restaurants will offer 10% off food orders for two weeks: March 14 – 18 and March 21 -25! Watch for more details and participating restaurants in February.
Please continue to support all our local businesses! You can contact the Batavia Chamber of Commerce by emailing info@bataviachamber.org or call 630-879-7134. We look forward to hearing from you.