State Honors Region Entrepreneurs
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Indiana Small Business Development Center is honoring entrepreneurs in northwest Indiana. The center’s northwest office presented its Entrepreneurial Excellence Awards this week at a luncheon in Hobart.
Our partners at The Times of Northwest Indiana report the event featured a keynote address from Elaine Bedel, president of the Indiana Economic Development Corp. The organization presented its 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award to Scott Albanese, founder of Albanese Confectionery Group Inc. in Merrillville.
The other award recipients include:
- Small Business Persons of the Year: Julie and Tony Bombacino, Real Food Blends (Chesterton)
- Entrepreneurial Success: Joshua Halpern, Albert’s Diamond Jewelers (Schererville and Merrillville)
- Emerging Business of the Year: Jeff Conti, Lil Coffee Cabin (various locations)
- Family-Owned Business of the Year: Radtke family, Pioneer Lumber (Michigan City)
- Women-Owned Business of the Year: Lori Lake, Intercontinental Subscription Services (Michigan City)
- Minority-Owned Business of the Year: Chip Lee, C. Lee Construction (Gary)
- Small Business Advocate of the Year: Chris Chatfield, First Merchants Bank (Munster)
The NW-ISBDC serves seven counties in northwest Indiana, providing no-cost assistance for entrepreneurs starting or expanding their businesses.