The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce Stageworks/Hudson and Kaz, Inc. as the joint recipient of the prestigious Crystal Apple Award. The Gala event was held on February 25, 2005 at the Columbia Golf and Country Club in Claverack. The five nominees included Fingar Insurance, Columbia Magnetic Imaging, PC, Kinderhook Tire & Auto, Pro Printers, and a joint nomination for Stageworks/Hudson and Kaz, Inc.

Stageworks/Hudson and Kaz, Inc.
Stageworks/Hudson incorporated as a professional Equity theater in 1993, and has grown into a major award-winning regional theater. Kaz, Inc. is the largest manufacturer in Columbia County.

These two distinctive corporations, one a non-profit and the other a for-profit came together in their common belief that a permanent home for Stageworks would have a positive effect on both the economy and quality of life in Columbia County. In late February of 2004, Richard Katzman, President and CEO of Kaz, donated its 40,000 square foot former manufacturing facility to Stageworks.

In March, the newly renamed Stageworks/Hudson announced the acquisition of its new home, name and 2004 season. They began to work immediately building a 100-seat studio theater with costume/lighting/set shops and dressing rooms. Renovations to the building included administrative offices, a 1,400 square foot visual arts space named “The Gallery at Stageworks”, which also functions as the theater lobby and a 6 bedroom dormitory style residence for out-of-town artists.

During the 2004 season, 4,200 individuals attended productions and approximately 500 additional people visited The Gallery at Stageworks. Revenue from ticket sales for the 2004 Mainstage season increased by 30 percent and subscriptions increased by 20 percent from 2003. In addition to four full-time employees, Stageworks/Hudson employed thirty-five people during the five month 2004 season including: administrators, artists, teachers and technical theater personnel. (Beginning in 2005, the company will produce from March through December.) Stageworks/Hudson also utilized the services of numerous Columbia County contractors for all renovations and expansions. The company takes seriously the motto, “Shop Columbia County First” with over 90% of Stageworks/Hudson’s supplies purchased locally. Additionally, a new initiative to partner with area businesses was launched. Stageworks/Hudson partnered with six area restaurants to develop the Passport Dining Card, which offers discounts to patrons who subscribe to Stageworks/Hudson’s Mainstage season. The effort was popular with both theater-goers and partnering restaurants who benefited by increased publicity and attendance.

The other finalists were:

Fingar Insurance
Luther Fingar founded the Fingar agency in 1951. His son Peter Fingar began working in the family agency in 1947. Peter’s sons Greg and Mark came to work in the agency in the early 1980s and are the current owners. They are perpetuating a proud tradition of excellent customer service. The agency employs ten employees in their Hudson and Germantown offices.

In April 2004 Fingar Insurance opened a new 3,000 square foot office at the corner of Livingston Parkway and Fairview Avenue. Greg and Mark invested over $250,000 to make this new office a reality.

The conversion of a vacant building made it possible to employ two new professionally licensed local individuals. A second office in Green port has made it possible to better serve their customer base that is growing at 10-15% per year.

The events leading up to the opening of the new Fingar Insurance office was the 2002 purchase of the Starace & George Agency and the 2003 purchase of the property that is their new location.

Fingar Insurance prides itself on providing outstanding customer service and being active in community organizations. In addition to the Chamber, Greg and Mark are active in Rotary, Lions Club, Columbia Memorial Hospital Foundation and Columbia County Economic Development Corporation.

Greg and Mark intend to continue to grow their business, offer good paying jobs and support community initiatives.

Columbia Magnetic Imaging, PC
Columbia Magnetic Imaging, PC located in Columbia County is proud to offer superior diagnostic MRI scanning.

Columbia Magnetic Imaging has been serving the medical community since December of 1993. In 1993 CMI was the first facility in the Capital Region to purchase the Siemens Impact Expert 1.0 Tesla Magnet.

In September of 2004 Columbia Magnetic Imaging opened their doors to a brand new $1.3 million dollar facility. Columbia Magnetic Imaging’s continuous commitment in providing excellent MRI service to the entire medical community lead them to make the ultimate decision and purchase of a $2.6 million dollar GE 3.0 Tesla MRI system. CMI invested a total of $3.9 million dollars in order to provide the most sophisticated magnetic imaging available in today’s market place.

Columbia Magnetic Imaging has set the standard for diagnostic imaging region wide.

The 3.0 Tesla MRI system represents a quantum leap beyond the 1.5 Tesla magnets currently in use throughout the United States. With this ultra high filed MRI scanner Columbia Magnetic Imaging will obtain diagnostic capability well beyond any medical facility in the entire Northeast.

The advantage to our community is unprecedented. This important advance in MRI scanning technology is an extraordinary event for a rural area such as Columbia and Greene Counties. This ultra high field MRI will set the standard in diagnostic imaging in our region. This commitment to cutting edge technology coupled with their highly trained physicians and staff allows Columbia Magnetic Imaging to provide an unparalleled level of quality patient care.

Kinderhook Tire & Auto
Thomas Coleman and a partner started Kinderhook Tire and Auto in 1991. The company specializes in tires and light automobile repair. In 1994 the business expanded to two bays and became a family business when Milo and Timothy came to work with their Dad. Business continued to grow and the decision was made to add three more bays and an alignment machine. These enhancements along with a commitment to great customer service helped the business to thrive in the next few years.

In early 2003 it was clear that a larger better configured building would be necessary to meet the needs of a growing base of customers.

The Coleman family diligently designed a 7,500 square foot building that would have a show room, office space, six bays and tire storage. The company found a building site at 3405 Route 9 that enabled them to be near their existing customer base.

Construction began in July of 2004 and was completed just prior to their opening on October 1. Since opening, the company has been able to better serve its customers and attract a broader base of customers.

Several local contractors were used in the construction process. The Coleman family invested over $1 million dollars in the project. One employee has been added to bring the count to six with future additions expected.

According to Milo Coleman, excellent customer service and community involvement are the cornerstones of their success. “We will do whatever it takes to make things right for the customer,” said Milo. Kinderhook Tire and Auto supports the community in many ways. Charitable contributions include: the United Way, church projects, school projects and local families in need.

The Coleman family plans to keep this a family owned and operated business for generations to come.

Pro Printers
Pro Printers was established in 1989 on a small budget and has experienced an increase in sales every year since.  They are now ranked as the 23rd largest commercial printer in the Capital District’s eleven counties by the Business Review. Their growth forced them to move the business to 59 Fairview Avenue, taking over the vacant Fairview Lincoln Mercury building. They invested over $300,000 to restore the abandoned property into useful, commercial space.

Pro Printers has strived to make sure that Columbia County does not take a back seat to the technology available in the printing and copying market. They have invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in state-of-the-art equipment and employ highly competent personnel to assure that businesses need not look to larger markets to have their needs met.

Pro Printers is owned and operated by David Scott. He started the business working alone, and now employs 9 people, adding 2 employees in 2004 to keep up with the increasing sales.