ADA __ The Hardin County Chamber and Business Alliance (HCCBA) held their 18th Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet on Thursday, February 20 at the McIntosh Ballroom at Ohio Northern University.

Five annual awards were presented for 2024.

• Nonprofit of the Year was presented to Safe Haven of Hardin County, represented by Deb Oestreich.
• Community Service of the Year was presented to John Siemon.
• Citizen of the Year was presented to Rodney Hensel.
• Small Business of the Year was presented to The Sweet Note Cafe, represented by Holly Layman Cannode.
• Business of the Year was presented to Newland-Heydinger Insurance, represented by Chad and Tasha Heydinger.

During the annual meeting, Stephanie Temple of Tons of Fun Travel recognized retiring member of the Board of Directors: Fred Rush of the Hardin County Commissioners.

Temple also recognized newly appointed members of the Board of Directors: Jim Parobek of OhioHealth is filling the seat of Joy Bischoff; Austin Oglesbee of WIWA LLC is filling the seat vacated by Andy Wentling of Wilson Sporting Goods; Hardin County County Commissioner Joe Sherman is filling the seat of Hardin County Commissioner Fred Rush.

Incoming officers include: 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 Jade Hale of The Middlefield Banking Company, followed by the annual report 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 at www.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.