2024 Community Improvement Awards

Hagerstown, IN -- Hartley Hills Country Club – The Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the annual Community Improvement Awards Tuesday, September 10th, 2024.

The Community Improvement Awards celebrate local businesses that have made efforts in both community improvement and beautification. These endeavors reflect the Chamber’s shared values, commitment to economic growth, sustainability, and its desire to create a welcoming and inspiring environment for all. This year’s nominees and winners are:
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2024 Nominees
Americana Pizza, Best Western Classic Inn, Centerville-Abington Schools Transportation Building, Dougherty Orchards & Winery Event Pavilion, Earlham College Softball Facility, Earlham Commons, Hank’s Pet Lodge, Pilgrimage Wine Company, Wayne Bank, Richmond Eastside Branch, Winding Branch Golf Course

2024 Winners
Community Impact Award - Earlham Commons
The Exemplary Award – Pilgrimage Wine Company
The Spirit Award – Depot Festival of Trees

Each of these award recipients was selected by a panel of judges who evaluated each project according to a rigorous set of criteria, including creativity, innovation, and overall impact on beautification.

The Community Impact Award recognizes the nominee whose presence in Wayne County has made a significant positive impact on our community. This year, Earlham Commons has been honored for fostering business growth on Richmond’s west side and for their efforts to bridge the gap between Earlham College students and the local community. Parlor Doughnuts has opened their Richmond location in the Earlham Commons building.  A restaurant is slated for one of the other two units. Earlham President, Paul Sniegowski, commented on the project, “it’s a symbol of the connection between Earlham and Richmond. It means a lot to us to be able to bring people over to that side of Richmond, and on the right day you can even smell doughnuts in the morning!”

The Exemplary Award is presented to the nominee who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to a beautification project in Wayne County. Pilgrimage Wine Company has been selected for their remarkable integration of family values, agritourism, and winemaking, as well as their successful transformation of their property, building, and outdoor spaces. The Eckart’s were able to successfully mimic the beauty and aesthetic of southern European design and culture and combine that with the essence of a modern Midwestern winery.

The Spirit Award is given to a project that drives transformational change and uplifts the community spirit. This year’s recipient, Depot Festival of Trees, was chosen for their dedication to supporting local nonprofits and providing free, festive events for the community. A few of the dedicated committee members explained, “we really wanted to expand the Old-Fashioned Christmas Festival to include the whole depot district, as well as support local nonprofits, and that’s how the festival became what it is today.”

Chamber President/CEO Melissa Vance summed up the program. “We want to congratulate and thank all nominees and winners for their amazing work and efforts to improve our community!”