Originally published January 28, 2019 on Banner Graphic.
Living up to its name as the Greater Greencastle Chamber of Commerce, on Saturday during its annual meeting, the Chamber honored a pair of businesses located a bit more than a stone’s throw from Greencastle courthouse square.
They are also two businesses that seem to be doing their part to make the Putnam County community, well, greater.
The Small Business of the Year award went to Cloverdale Drugs, while the Large Business of the Year honor was bestowed upon Endeavor Communications.
While their primary location remains in Cloverdale, Ben and Amanda Laney of Cloverdale Drugs took a bit of a leap of faith in late 2017 when they expanded their services to Crossroads Care Pharmacy in Bainbridge.
In a partnership with North Putnam Family Healthcare, a physician practice operated by Putnam County Hospital, the Bainbridge clinic offers integrated care services for customers in northern Putnam County Communities who previously found themselves 30 minutes away from the nearest pharmacy.
Shortly after the dinner Saturday was over, Cathy Clodfelter, a nurse practitioner at North Putnam Family Healthcare, congratulated the Laneys on the award and thanked them for what they’ve done in Bainbridge.
“You have the best business in Bainbridge,” Clodfelter said. “We really appreciate you taking a chance.”
The Laneys saw this “chance” as something else.
“It was an awesome opportunity. We couldn’t pass that up,” Ben said. “The community response has been overwhelming.”
Of course, none of this should overlook the original business in Cloverdale, which the Laneys have owned since 2008. Like the northern Putnam County area into which they expanded, in Cloverdale the business also serves a population that would have to drive much farther to reach a market that chain pharmacies typically serve.
In winning the award, Cloverdale Drugs was selected over fellow finalists Greencastle Hometown Dental and Shuee’s Great Buys Plus. In his acceptance speech, Ben Laney made sure to tip his cap to these and other small businesses.
“It is a privilege to work and serve our community,” he said. “We share this award with all our fellow small business owners.”
For the Large Business of the Year, the Chamber also turned to a Cloverdale-based business in naming Endeavor over fellow finalists Cash Concrete and Crown Equipment.
For Endeavor, the focus seems to remain on the communities it serves, which expand well beyond the confines of Putnam County.
However, here in Putnam County the community involvement includes live-streaming the arena events of the Putnam County 4-H Fair, as well as local high school sports.
Endeavor’s Speed Geeks program brings in students to help people in the community learn how to use their technology.
Additionally, Endeavor awards 12 scholarships each year to local students and employees donated more than 1,000 hours of community service in 2018.
And while Endeavor may technically be in the “large” business category, an emotional Vice President Jay Watkins accepted the award in memory of one longtime employee who died unexpectedly last Monday.
“We dedicate this award to Dan Newton,” Watkins said.
Keeping his comments brief, Watkins simply expressed his gratitude to the Chamber and Endeavor’s employees.
“We are very thankful for this award,” Watkins said. “We couldn’t do it without our great employees.”
On Monday, CEO Darin LaCoursiere expounded upon his feelings at Endeavor being honored by the Chamber.
“Endeavor Communications is deeply grateful for having been nominated and ultimately chosen as a recipient of the Large Business of the Year award from the Greater Greencastle Chamber of Commerce,” LaCoursiere said. “We are very grateful, but we need to share this award with our wonderful employees who give of their time to support the community. Without them none of this is possible.
“We would also like to thank our customers that have and continue to support us,” he added. “What a joy it is for us to be serving the people of this community. We are also very excited to provide a service which will continue to advance opportunities for the future of the next generation and keep our community connected to the world.”
In addition to the business awards and the Citizen of the Year (see story page 1), the Chamber also honored the 2018 Non-Profit of the Year, recognizing that the Putnam County Playhouse adds to the quality of life in Greencastle and Putnam County.
In presenting the award, 2019 Chamber President Beau Battin noted that in 2018 the Playhouse had to add extra shows to meet increased demand. The Playhouse is currently planning for its 58th season.
The other finalists for the award were Main Street Greencastle and Family Support Services of West Central Indiana.
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