Alliance Holds Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet

Featured in photo beginning from left: Deb Curlis, Kathy Oliver, Tracy Temple, Chris Jones, Jodi Hassan and Kevin Lewis.

The Hardin County Chamber and Business Alliance held the 17th Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet Thursday evening in the McIntosh Center Ballroom on the campus of Ohio Northern University in Ada.

Five major awards were handed out during the ceremony.

Nonprofit of the Year: Kan Du Group, represented by Kevin Lewis and Jodi Hassan.

Nonprofit of the Year is awarded to a nonprofit organization that provides extraordinary programs and services to benefit Hardin County and its community members.

The 2023 Nonprofit of the Year is Kan Du Group.

Kan Du Group is a non-profit company that has served the needs of adults with developmental disabilities for over 50 years.  They have been a member of the Hardin County Chamber and Business Alliance for approximately 4 years. Kan Du offers programming in life skills, creative development, vocational training, and job placement. 

Kan Du Group started serving Hardin County clients in 2018 by providing transportation and employment in Kan Du Group’s Enclave with Kohl’s Distribution Center, October 2020 through October of 2023, a production site, in Ada, Ohio provided a place where clients could learn and develop valuable work skills.  At present, Kan Du continues to serve Hardin County adults with developmental disabilities by providing their transportation, group employment, skills training, and facility-based work.

Kan Du partners with local and regional businesses to provide project-based in facility work for their clients.  These partnerships not only help clients earn an income and develop skills. It also aids the businesses with workforce and production challenges.

Kan Du clients love participating in the Hardin County events. They have participated with Kan Du in the Made in Ada Wilson Football Festival, Farmers’ and Merchants’ parade, Harvest & Herb Festival parade, Kenton Halloween parade, Kenton Christmas parade, and the Hardin County Fair.  Kan Du clients also enjoy spreading cheer to the community by practicing random acts of kindness, frequently anonymously.  They also enjoy spreading cheer in the community by painting and hiding rocks with Kan Du.

You can learn more about Kan Du Group and their mission by visiting their website, on Facebook, or by contacting them at contactus@kandugroup.org or 419-42KANDU.

Community Service of the Year: Beatitudes Community Center of Ada

The Community Service Award is given to an outstanding individual or organization dedicated to helping others and improving the community.

The 2023 Community Service Award goes to Beatitudes Community Center of Ada, represented by Deb Curlis.

Beatitudes is a place committed to helping others and improving our community. This unwavering commitment has been truly remarkable. 

Here is what Deb Curlis has brought to the community through Beatitudes:

 . Rent and Utility assistance

 .Community monthly meals

 .Red Cross emergency center

 .Lunch and Bingo

 .24/7 food pantry for all in need

 .Domestic Violence victim support

 .Summer food program for all of Hardin Co.

 .Offers a safe place for all  

 .Children’s shopping event with Merry on Main

 .Hardin Co Senior Citizens activity card day

 .Private Art classes

 .Supportive and caring environment for building life skills.

 .Counseling

 .Attends area churches to promote Beatitudes

 .Food delivery

 .Job placement

 .The impact of the above mentioned creates a lasting positive influence on our community. 

Citizen of the Year: Kathy Oliver

This award is based upon an individual’s outstanding achievements and contributions, which have made Hardin County a better place to live,  work, and prosper.

The 2023 Citizen of the Year is Kathy Oliver.

Kathy Oliver attended Ohio University, where she received her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Family and Consumer Sciences and Human Sciences.  While at OU, Kathy worked as a teacher and research associate for the College of Home Economics.

Kathy then took a position with The Ohio State University Extension, Hardin County Office. For nearly 33 years, she planned, conducted and evaluated community-based educational programs focused on healthy people, healthy finances, and healthy relationships.

Kathy has been the Chairperson of the Hardin Leadership program for the past 30 years, and was instrumental in its inception in 1993.

From her nomination:

As the chairperson of Hardin Leadership, Kathy spends countless hours meeting with committee members, speakers, officials, and class members to provide one of the best leadership classes in the State of Ohio for Hardin County. Her selfless work is to insure that Hardin County has the best leadership now and in the future. Many organizations, elected officials, businesses and individuals have benefitted, and continue to benefit from classes that Hardin Leadership has provided for the past 30 years with Kathy participating and leading.

Small Business of the Year: Silver Creek Supply

This award is presented to a business or industry with fifty employees or less, that gives back to the community, supports the local business climate, and creates or 

encourages economic growth.

The 2023 Small Business of the Year Award goes to Silver Creek Supply, represented by Tracy Temple.

Here is the information provided in the nomination for Silver Creek Supply:

Established in 1979, Silver Creek Supply is a privately-owned and operated independent agri-service company, servicing Hardin and surrounding counties. New ownership took over about three years ago, and in that short time, they have grown the business, maintained original staffing, as well as adding new staffing with opportunities for growth and learning.

Since new ownership, SCS has built relationships in the community by being active in the Hardin County Fair youth livestock auction, donating to area sports leagues, FFA fundraisers, and offering a scholarship for one local senior who plans to study an agricultural major.

2023 was the first year that SCS participated in the Kenton Lions Club Christmas Parade in downtown Kenton.

SCS’s commitment to employees has also been an ongoing success.  A new 401k plan, new uniforms, wage increases, annual bonuses and more, make SCS a great place to work.  They truly try to create a family atmosphere for employees.

SCS supports our local farm community with annual appreciation dinners, goody bag deliveries during harvest season, and 7 day-a-week operations during busier times.  These are  just a few of the ways they go above and beyond for clients.

The growth and positive changes this small business continues to make is exactly what Hardin County needs.

Business of the Year: HSLC

The Business of the Year Award is presented to a business or industry that gives back to the community, supports the local business climate, and creates or encourages 

economic growth.

The 2023 Business of the Year Award goes to HSLC, represented by Chris Jones.

HSLC was founded under the name Home Savings Building and Loan Company on February 6, 1888.  

Their original location was at 112 North Detroit Street in Kenton. They later moved to 116 North Detroit Street before moving to their current location at 116 East 

Franklin Street.

In 2016, The Home Savings and Loan Company of Kenton, Ohio was rebranded to HSLC, and they added the tagline “Infinite Opportunities” to reflect the many diverse products and services currently offered and planned for the the future.

Starting with assets of $40,000 in 1888, they have grown to over $190 million in assets.

In the past few years, HSLC has added locations in Hamburg and Wellington, Kentucky.

They are nearing completion of extensive renovations to the interior of their Kenton office.

This is from their nomination:

HSLC continuously gives back to the Hardin County area and has supported the economic growth of the area for many years.

HSLC participates in toy and food drives during the holidays; hosts ‘Lunch on Location’ food trucks during the summer months; is involved in the Hardin County Fair; offers internships and job shadowing opportunities for students; and the list goes on.

During the annual meeting, President/CEO Holli Underwood of the HCCBA recognized retiring members of the Board of Directors: Brian Sprang of Quest Federal Credit Union; Jeff Knedler of Hempy Water; Kimberly Everhart of OhioHealth; and Derek Snider of Ag Credit.

Board Chair Derek Snider of Ag Credit recognized newly appointed members of the Board of Directors: Jordan Temple of Quest Federal Credit Union; Joy Bischoff of OhioHealth; Michelle Cole of Buckeye Machine Fabricators; and Andy Wentling of Wilson Sporting Goods. In addition, Rod Miller was recognized as the new appointee for Graphic Packaging, filling an open position created by the resignation of Travis King.  

Also recognized were incoming officers: Board Chair Stephanie Jolliff of Ridgemont Local School District, Vice Chair Tracy Temple of Silver Creek Supply, Treasurer Jade Hale of The Middlefield Banking Company and Past Chair Stephanie Temple of Tons of Fun Travel.

The annual financial report was presented by Brian Sprang of Quest Federal Credit Union, followed by a video annual report prepared by the HCCBA staff and presented by Holli Underwood.

The evening concluded with a raffle of the table centerpieces.

More information about the HCCBA and this year’s annual award winners can be found on their website at hccba.com.

The HCCBA serves all of Hardin County in four divisions, including Economic Development, Community Development, Chamber of Commerce and Tourism. The mission of the HCCBA is to cultivate, promote and advocate to make Hardin County a great place to live, work and prosper.