Laura Baker Services Named Business of the Year; Pryor Named Business Person of the Year

Editor's Note: This information came from a Northfield Area Chamber of Commerce press release.

The Northfield Area Chamber of Commerce announced its Business of the Year and Business Person of the Year for 2012 Monday afternoon.

Laura Baker Services Association is the Business of the Year, and Chuck Pryor is the Business Person of the year.

BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

The chamber’s selection committee met recently and provided the following reasons why Laura Baker Services Association should receive recognition as an outstanding business in our community:

• Laura Baker Services Association began in 1897 as a school, and has become a premier provider of services to the developmentally disabled, supporting people with developmental disabilities with housing and education.

• The organization completed the rebuild and renovation of two cottages in 2011 and is now planning two new cottages on the campus, a $2.5 million investment.

• Laura Baker is one of the larger employers in the community with a $2.9 million payroll annually, employing 146 full-time employees.

• Laura Baker Services Association has had a $10.44 million economic impact on the community, both direct and indirect, with 19-percent growth over the last five years. 

BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR 

Pryor has been selected the 2012 Business Person of the Year because he has  encouraged and participated in economic development efforts that have led to significant improvements for the Northfield area, and has provided the community with his leadership, financial contributions, business knowledge and business expertise. 

AWARDS BANQUET

The chamber's annual meeting and Business recognition banquet will be at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, March 8, at the Grand Event Center. Cost is $30 per person.  Reservations are required and can be made by sending a check to the Northfield Area Chamber of Commerce, 205 Third Street West, Suite A, PO Box 198, Northfield, MN  55057.