Berlin Economic Development Commission Announce 2012 Award Recipients

The Berlin Economic Development Commission has selected its 2012 award recipients. Each year the Commission recognizes some of the key businesses, developers and individuals that have made outstanding contributions to the Town and its Economic Development. The awards list for 2012 is especially notable.

The Developer of the Year Award is being presented to CIL for its Lofts at Sherwood Falls project. This project is restoring a local landmark building and creating unique and affordable condominium units. 47 units have been completed to date.

Bruce Moore, longtime Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Commission, Chairman of the 2013 Plan of Conservation and Development Update Committee and noted community leader has been selected as Volunteer of the Year.

The Business of the Year Award is being presented to Dr. Mary Gina Ratchford in recognition of her soon to be completed Eye Care Center project on Farmington Avenue. This project is continuing the exciting revitalization of Farmington Avenue in the vicinity of Berlin Veterans Memorial Park and it is setting a new high standard for quality design. Beautification Awards are being presented to Schaller Subaru and The Baltic restaurant for their efforts to reuse and transform buildings on Frontage Road and New Britain Road.

This year the Economic Development Commission also established a new award category to acknowledge the importance of new businesses that have moved to Berlin.

The 2012 New Business of the Year Awards are being presented to Okay Industries, Inc. for their purchase of a building on New Park Drive, Fosdick Fulfillment for its lease of a building on Worthington Ridge Extension and to The Fletcher-Terry Company for leasing space on Clark Drive.

"It is fitting that the Economic Development Commission has chosen to recognize these important new Berlin businesses because I believe that they will contribute very significantly to our community in many ways, including providing jobs for residents of Berlin and nearby communities,” said Berlin Mayor Salina.

The Berlin Economic Development Commission Awards reception is being jointly sponsored by the New Britain, Berlin Chamber of Commerce. The event will be Wednesday April 25 at the Baltic Restaurant.

For more information contact Berlin Economic Development Director Jim Mahoney at (860) 828-7005 or the New Britain, Berlin Chamber of Commerce at (860) 229-1665. The invitation is also posted under news on the home page of the Town web site.