Columbia Falls Chamber recognizes businesses — virtually
The annual Columbia Falls Chamber of Commerce Awards Ceremony for 2020 took place virtually this year amid the coronavirus pandemic as it honored local businesses in several categories last week.
The ceremony began when chamber executive director Laura Gadwa announced the 26 recipients of the “First Buck Awards” which are granted to new businesses, or any business that has a new location or a new owner. They included:
Pretty Kitty
Forage & Floral
Rose Petal Floral and Supplies
Glacier View Vacation Rentals
Montana Sky Networks
GameFace Sports
Mountain Physical Therapy
Columbia Mountain Ranch
Sky Eco Rentals – Glacier General Store
Beargrass Lodging & RV
Paul Bunyan Bar & Grill
The Sapphire Shoppe
Cowgirl Coffee
Glacier Grille
Amazing Fun Center
Friske Beans Espresso
Equipment Connection (new owners – need confirmation)
Glacier Medical Associates
Orthorehab Physical Therapy
Taco Loco (in historic tamarack)
Physio Forge
Might Mouse Muay
Posh Nails
North Valley Physical Therapy
FIKA Hair and Body
Ember
Gadwa also presented the “Business Anniversary Awards” in honor of companies that hit a significant milestone in their operational history during 2020. Those include:
Celebrating 15 Years: Bailey’s Bed ‘n’ Bale
Celebrating 25 Years: MontanaSky Networks
Celebrating 35 Years: Dream Adaptive Recreation
Celebrating 35 Years: LC Staffing
Celebrating 60 Years: Montana House Inc., Apgar Village
Celebrating 65 Years: Glacier Bank
Celebrating 75 Years: Morrison Maierle
The last award of the ceremony was the “Community Spirit Award” given to chamber members who have shown exemplary care and support throughout the year for our local communities.
“I will tell you it was extremely hard to pick this year, as we know how much you all have done and how much you have changed, and really supported our businesses and community this year,” said Gadwa as she addressed the chamber members present.
In the end, the “Community Spirit Award” was granted to both School District 6 and West Glacier Elementary for their dedication to the children of this community’s education, even under daunting circumstances such as having to come up with an entirely new way to teach students within a couple weeks, said Gadwa.
“We can’t tell you guys enough how important education is for our kids and our community and how much we appreciate all of the effort that you guys have put into making sure that our students are still receiving an education and going to school,” she said.
In other business, the chamber’s board president Cameron Johnson of Freedom Bank and board member Carla Fisher of Backslope Brewing presented two $1,200 checks that will be given to the Wounded Warrior Project and the Boys and Girls Club as a result of a fundraising partnership between the two chamber members. The funds were raised from the proceeds of Backslope Brewing’s seasonal Freedom IPA, sponsored by Freedom Bank.