Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Announces

Recipient of the 21st Annual Crystal Apple Award

The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce Local Ocean as the recipient of the 21st Annual Crystal Apple Award. The Gala was held on Friday, February 26, 2010 at The Pond Restaurant & Banquet Facility in Ancramdale.  Over 100 attendees enjoyed a fabulous dinner crafted by the staff at The Pond.  A video created by Midhudsonmedia highlighted the 2009 accomplishments of the six finalists and a Steuben Glass crystal apple was presented to Local Ocean by the event Emcee Roger Coleman, Publisher of the Chatham Courier/The Register-Star and Chamber Chairman Michael Sullivan of Crawford & Associates Engineering and Land Surveying PC.

Local Ocean is a revolutionary fish farm that has just been started in the area. The decision to locate it in Columbia County is the result of hard work, community support, and positive economic development strategies at both the state and local levels. The business will bring 53 full time “green” jobs to the region over the next three years, along with 7 contract positions.  Local Ocean’s “green system” of farming is designed to prevent pollution and reduce energy use. It is the nation’s first re-circulating saltwater commercial aquaculture operation. The project aims to replace fish imports, increase aquaculture expertise, and create employment throughout the United States.

The other finalists included: BeLo 3rd, Catamount Adventure Park, Columbia-Greene Dialysis Centers, Taconic Farms, Inc. and The Historic Blue Stores.  The annual award is presented to a Chamber member business to recognize an extraordinary contribution to economic progress, community improvement, and the quality of life in Columbia County during 2009.

The event was sponsored by A. Colarusso & Son, Crawford & Associates Engineering & Surveying PC, EP Nevins Insurance Agency, Inc, First Niagara Bank, Kinderhook Bank, Taconic, Clear Channel Radio, Midhudsonmedia, Chatham Courier/The Register-Star, Columbia Hudson Partnership, Fingar Insurance, Freeman Howard, PC, and Shallo Galluscio, Bianchi & Fucito, CPAs, PC and The Bank of Greene County.

The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce, with its 850 members, is the leading voice of business in Columbia County, providing advocacy, promotional and benefit solutions for its members.  Those seeking more information concerning the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce and membership can contact the Chamber at (518) 828-4417 or visit the website at www.columbiachamber-ny.com.

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