Hudson Chamber celebrates its 2017

Hudson community members gathered in person, and remotely, for the Hudson Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet on Jan. 25 at Kilkarney Hills Golf Course.

Each year the event distributes five awards for 2017 — Large Business of the Year, Small Business of the Year, Chamber Member of the Year, Community Volunteer of the Year and the prestigious Marie Blakeman award.

This year Ciranda was recognized as the Large Business of the Year. This award recognizes outstanding achievements of businesses with more than 20 full-time employees.

A supplier of organic, non-GMO, free trade ingredients, Ciranda was originally owned by Han and Joan Friese. The two recently sold their share of the company to its employees. The Frieses are still involved in the business, and hope the sale will allow the same values to continue when they are no longer involved.

Coco's Heart Dog Rescue received the Small Business of the Year award. This honors small businesses with one to 20 full-time employees for their achievements. Hudson Chamber of Commerce President Blake Fry said these small businesses are "the heart and fabric of our community."

Continue to full article.