SALEM OR: The Salem Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year awards took place earlier this week. Walking into the convention center downtown you would have never guessed this was the first time they had done this since 2017. People flooded under the Willamette Valley Bank banner coming together over a meal and remembrance of the prosperous community we find ourselves in.
It began with an introduction from the chamber’s executive director, Tom Hoffert. Hoffert summarized the general sentiment of those in attendance, mentioning that “the 40 local business nominations were catalysts for economic prosperity and small business relationships.” Before announcing that the chamber’s main sponsor was among the 100 Best Companies to Work For in Oregon, the executive director of Willamette Valley Banks offered a few remarks.
The awards started with the Non-Profit Business of the Year. This was taken home by the Salem Angels. The Angels started in the Salem area in 2020 and have since recruited over 120 volunteers. The Angel’s mission is to walk alongside children, youth, and families in the foster care community by offering consistent support through intentional giving, relationship building, and mentorship.
They moved on to the second award the New Business of the Year for 2022, which was taken by Active Recovery TMS. Active Recovery TMS is an FDA-cleared, non-invasive, nonmedication, alternative treatment for depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder. After repeated treatments, TMS can decrease the symptoms of depression or OCD. The good news is that many insurance providers cover TMS treatment for patients with major depressive disorder. Active Recovery TMS works with most commercial insurance plans as well as Medicaid, Medicare, TRICARE, and TriWest.
The third award was given to a business that kept 100% of its employees during the pandemic. Oregon Fruit Products, whose roots are firmly planted in the Willamette Valley for over 85 years. Unparalleled in quality, flavor, color, and natural sweetness from working with growers right up the road was the Agricultural Producer of the Year.
Small Business of the Year was awarded to West Salem Ace Hardware. While they could have spoken at length about the contributions this business and its owners have made to the community, they didn’t miss the opportunity to assure us that the community works together, and they will open a second location thanks to our support.
The Employer of the Year award must be nominated by an employee. From all the nominations, Pfeifer Roofing was chosen as the winner. We’re sure Pfeifer was as happy as its employees to take home the award. Pfeifer Roofing Inc. is a family-owned business operating in the Willamette Valley since 1978. Over the years, the company has grown into one of the largest and most diverse roofing companies in the valley. It is currently led by two generations.
A new prize was raffled off for the Enchanted Forest Amusement Park, the Salem Business Legacy. The room filled with raised hands as questions swirled about who had been to the park before. Equally moving were the stories of its handcrafted construction beginning in 1964, its continued family operation three generations later, and, as many know, remains a community icon. We were as thrilled to learn it was open again full-time as we were by the memories most of us have there.
The last award given by the Chamber of Commerce to a community business was Business of the Year. This company was singled out even before the award was taken to the podium for building the Oregon School for the Deaf on a popular television show, for reopening businesses and homes after the Santiam fires, and for dozens of other things the community is surely considering right now. The 2022 Salem Business of the Year was Rich Duncan Construction. Upon receiving the award, Rich’s team thanked their clients during 2021-22 for the trust they had in the company to overcome the pandemic and allow them to rebuild from the fires. The crowd took a photo to send to Rich, who was away for his birthday. Before the crowd dispersed, Tom and the Chamber thanked the retired and former board members, crediting them with their wineries, and thanked everyone for attending. It was a great moment to see how, in the most difficult times, the community can stand together when it’s made up of great people and companies. It was the perfect culmination of the awards and the rekindling of a long tradition of recognition in the community, and something we look forward to as we look to the years to come.
