STATE COLLEGE — The Chamber of Business and Industry of Centre County hosted the 2024 Centre County Business Awards, presented by Geisinger, at the Nittany Lion Inn on Thursday, Oct. 24. CBICC, a membership organization that provides support for various industries in Centre County, awarded six local businesses and individuals awards for their efforts this year.
“Tonight, we celebrate business in our community and the people who make it a special, thriving place to live and work,” Greg Scott, CBICC president and CEO, shared at the award ceremony. “Through their leadership and dedication, this year’s recipients have positively impacted our region’s economy and community, and I look forward to cheering on their growth and success in the future.”
Over 200 people were in attendance at the event, and after remarks from Scott, U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson, R-Howard, took to the stage to praise the chamber and local businesses up for the awards.
The State College Food Bank received the first award of the evening for Nonprofit of the Year, an award that highlighted a local organization that has made significant contributions and impact on the community through its services and programs.
Elizabeth Hay, Jack White family director of the Happy Valley LaunchBox and president of WINGS, a State College Women’s Networking Group, won the Athena Champion Leadership Award. The award recognized an individual who works as an ally, advocates for and promotes women’s leadership and fosters diversity in the workplace.
Antifragile Brewing Company, a local brewery in downtown State College, 324 E. Calder Way, took home the Emerging Business of the Year, an award that highlighted a business that opened and grew in the last three years.
Elizabeth Piazza, broker of record at Kissinger Bigatel and Brower Realtors, was awarded the Business Leader of the Year for her contributions to her company and employees.
The Scholar Hotel Group, a business that “aims to be a leader in the hospitality industry by understanding its guests and designing and delivering products and services that exceed expectations, demonstrating care for our guests through the anticipation of their needs, attention to detail, excellence, warmth and concern,” according to its site, was awarded Business of the Year. Scholar Hotel Group has six hotels in State College alone: Courtyard by Marriott, Hyatt Place, the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center, Residence Inn by Marriott, Scholar Hotel and the newly renovated Nittany Lion Inn where the award ceremony was held.
Lastly, The Centre County Gazette was awarded the 2024 Small Business of the Year award which recognizes a business that employs 10 or fewer full-time employees, has garnered a committed customer base and has a team of employees and leadership with a shared vision for the future.
The Centre County Gazette, formed in 2008, currently has five full-time employees and distributes 10,600 copies of the paper each week to more than 100 locations across the county.
“On behalf of The Centre County Gazette, I am honored to accept the Small Business of the Year award,” Tiara Snare, general manager, shared in a statement. “As a local business rooted in State College, we understand firsthand the unique challenges and immense rewards that come with being a small business. This award is a testament not only to our dedicated team but also to the incredible support we’ve received from our community. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey. We look forward to continuing to serve our community with excellence.”
