Seven Batavia businesses will be honored as 2016 Ole Award winners on Friday, Jan. 27 at the Batavia Chamber of Commerce Inspire 2017 event.

The Ole honorees and the appropriate category for their award are:

• Remodeling – Industrial: Pella Windows and Doors, 524 Kingsland Drive
• Remodeling – Industrial: Graf Tree Care, Inc., 1485 Louis Bork Drive
• Remodeling – Commercial: XFINITY Store, 57 S. Randall Road  
• Remodeling – Commercial: Sure Movements Yoga, 1822 Mill Street
• New Construction – Industrial: AMCOR Rigid Plastics – Batavia, 1300 S. River Street
• New Construction – Commercial: Speedway – Batavia Store, 1495 E. Wilson Street
• New Construction – Commercial: Batavia Enterprises Incorporated, 122 W. Wilson Street (For Walgreen’s)

Once again, the committee choosing the award winners was impressed with the quality of the projects completed in Batavia in 2016. Per Tom Wangler of Confident Aire, the award demonstrates confidence in Batavia. Wangler serves as the chairperson of the Ole Awards committee.

“This year is particularly exciting to me, we had so many great contenders that it was very difficult to come up with the most deserving honorees,” Wangler said. “The business-friendly atmosphere in Batavia has a lot to do with the growing number of candidates; the future is very bright here.”

Businesses receiving the Ole awards are appreciative of the honor. Gerry Dempsey, chairman and CEO of Batavia Enterprises, says that it validates their investment in Batavia.

“We have not only made a financial commitment to Batavia, but an emotional one as well,” Dempsey explained. “Batavia is very special to us because this is our business home; where we started 58 years ago.

“We are delighted that Walgreen’s liked Batavia. The fact that they wanted to stay in downtown Batavia is a real credit to the community that supports it,” he added. “This project was very important to us and we appreciate receiving an Ole Award for it.”

Likewise, the vitality of Batavia was mentioned by Comcast as a factor in their decision-making.

“We’re thrilled to receive an Ole Award,” said John Crowley, Comcast’s Greater Chicago Region senior vice president. “Batavia is a vibrant community with a strong retail mix. That’s why we chose Batavia as the site of our first Fox Valley XFINITY Store.”

The public is invited to attend Inspire 2017, and honor the current generation of hard-working Batavia business owners.

Inspire 2017: A Celebration of Those Who Inspire Us! takes place on Friday, Jan. 27, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Nagel Emporium at Marmion’s Abbey Farms, 2855 Hart Road in Aurora. The awards presentation of the Citizen of the Year, Spirit of Batavia and Ole Award winners will follow a social reception and silent auction.

General admission tickets cost $75; members and guests are $40 each. Please purchase tickets by Monday, Jan. 23. Online purchasing is available at www.bataviachamber.org, or call the Chamber office at (630) 879-7134. The price includes an appetizer menu. Cocktail attire is suggested. This year’s after-event party will be at Crosstown Pub and Grill, 1890 Mill St., Batavia.

For more information about the event or the awards, please call Holly Deitchman, president and CEO of the Batavia Chamber of Commerce, or Lindsey Williams, marketing and special events coordinator, at (630) 879-7134.

About the Ole Awards

The Ole Award is an award started in 1976 by a group of people who had a love and passion for their community and wanted to promote the city of Batavia. The Ole Awards are given to businesses for a significant improvement and investment either for new construction or for remodel in Batavia. Winners of this award are ones whose investment enhances the city’s economic and aesthetic futures, and provides interest and excitement for the entire community through investing dollars in their properties and buildings. The Ole Award derives its name from a traditional Swedish name, Ole, to honor the hard-working Swedish settlers that were among the first to call Batavia home.

About Batavia Chamber of Commerce

A local business-centered organization, the Batavia Chamber of Commerce sponsors or is involved with several annual Batavia events; including the Annual Mayor’s Breakfast, Citizen of the Year/Ole Awards Event, Chamber Legislative Breakfast and much more. The president and CEO is Holly Deitchman. Membership and information about upcoming Chamber and community events are available online at www.bataviachamber.org  or by calling (630) 879-7134.