August 13, 2014
2014 Best of Maryland Heights
Recipes
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Make Your Own Backyard Pizzeria
Around Town
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Special Feature: Automotive
Photo courtesy Christy Parks
Community News and MHCC Honor Businesses as By Shawn Clubb Best of Maryland Heights Lots of great businesses call Maryland Heights home. Many of these businesses are even competitors in the same fields. Yet, some of them stand out as representatives of the community. To honor these outstanding businesses, the Maryland Heights Chamber of Commerce and Community News recently teamed up and asked community members to tell us which are the best of the best. Winners in each category would be named the Best of Maryland Heights. “We wanted to honor some of the local businesses that go above and beyond to help and serve their community,” said Sherry Huibonhoa, executive director of the Maryland Heights Chamber of Commerce. “What better way to do that than to have the actual residents of Maryland Heights nominate their favorite businesses. “By recognizing these organizations for their outstanding practices we believe they can serve as a great example to other business owners to help them continue to improve and grow their businesses—the overall goal being to further promote and enhance the Maryland Heights community making it a great place to live, play and work. This will hopefully attract even more great businesses to our community.” Huibonhoa noted that Maryland Heights is one of the fastest growing cities in Missouri, which in 2013, was awarded Digital Capital of Missouri by Google.
“After receiving such a prestigious award, the growth hasn’t stopped,” she said. “To name a few, we have Edward Jones and Watlow Electric Manufacturing Company expanding, O’Fallon Brewery and SunEdison moving in, and Total Hockey, Nature’s Variety and Worldwide Technology recently announced as one of the 25 fastest growing companies in the St. Louis area. As executive director, knowing your community has a strong economic force brings an extra sense of comfort and stability. Meanwhile, attracting new businesses means increased revenue through taxes, added goods and services available locally, and extended opportunity for employment.” For several weeks leading up to July 18, people were asked to nominate as many as three businesses for the inaugural Best of Maryland Heights awards. Information on nominating was made available at chamber luncheons, through ads in the weekly editions of Community News, through email blasts, and on social media platforms. People were asked to nominate businesses in several categories in zip codes 63043, 63146 and 63045. They could fill out a nomination form and mail it to the chamber or Community News or send an email to Christy Parks at Community News. Huibonhoa said the award honors businesses for characteristics including great customer service, service to the community, being a good neighbor, and contributing to progress.
“We know that our business community practices all of the above daily. However, hearing it first hand from their targeted audience is key; and knowing your business is thought of as the best has to be an honor,” she said. “Being identified as the Best of Maryland Heights is one of the best compliments a business can receive. The Maryland Heights Chamber of Commerce is honored to have partnered with Community News on the Best of Maryland Heights.” The awards are being presented by the mayor of Maryland Heights at a chamber ceremony today, Wednesday, Aug. 13, at Hollywood Casino. See BEST OF MARYLAND HEIGHTS page 7
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