Archive: Business & Technology

Avalon Homes and Black Box Computer Consulting have been named the co-recipients of the 2009 New Business of the Year Award, given by the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce.  They will be recognized for their accomplishments at a Noontime luncheon on Friday November 13, 2009 at the LakeWatch Inn.

“We were absolutely delighted by the high quality and quantity of all of the nominees for this year’s award,” said Tompkins Chamber President, Jean McPheeters. In the end, these two businesses were tied at the top of the Awards Committee’s rankings.”

“We are so honored to receive the New Business of the Year Award” states Rusdi Sumner, the company’s President, “Avalon Homes was started on the belief that everyone deserved the opportunity to own a new home.  The support we have received from the Chamber of Commerce and the community has helped us to make that a reality for many happy homeowners.  We hope to be building beautiful, affordable homes for Tompkins County residents for many years to come.”

Black Box Computer Consulting was founded in 2004 to fill a niche between the individual computer consultant and the larger firms in the area.  They service organizations that are underserved by larger firms, but are large enough to need the benefits of an organizational structure created by Black Box.

Black Box owner John Guttridge also believes that giving back to the community is a hallmark of their company’s approach.  For three years, they have been the sponsor of Cayuga Radio Group’s “apple for the teacher” award, donating a computer, printer, and laptop to the winning teacher and the school district.  They have sponsored the last three seasons of the State Theatre, the 40 under 40 awards, and Taste of the Nation.  Black Box also offers special discounted rates to not-for-profit organizations. 

“Although it may not be seen as a traditional method of giving back to the community, one of the founding principles of Black Box is to be the best possible employer they can be,"Guttridge says.  "We have always been very focused on making the employment experience the best it can be and I see my company as an asset to the community in that way”, adding “I provide fulfilling, skilled, well-paid jobs in a pleasant work environment to my staff, which has grown substantially to 13 full time employees in 2009”.

The David R. Strong Small Business of the Year award will be presented to Triphammer Wine & Spirits.  Julie Crowley, Triphammer Wine & Spirit’s owner, said, “As we celebrate the 68th Anniversary of our family business, we are honored to receive the Small Business Award from the Tompkins Chamber of Commerce”.

Triphammer Wine & Spirits also hosts an annual fundraiser called “An Evening to Remember” to benefit the fight against Alzheimer’s along with help from the Park Scholars.

The Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce will also recognize Cayuga Medical Center at Ithaca as the 2009 Large Employer of the Year and the Cancer Resource Center as the 2009 Not-For-Profit of the Year.  These awards will be presented  December 4 at the Ithaca Downtown Holiday Inn. 

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