TechGROWTH Ohio wins top economic development award in the region
February 15, 2016
Athens Area Chamber of Commerce Board member Geoff Morgan, CFO of Quidel, Inc., presents TechGROWTH Ohio Director John Glazer with the 2015 Holzaepfel Economic Growth Award at the Chamber Annual dinner
The Athens Area Chamber of Commerce has honored TechGROWTH Ohio with the 2015 Holzaepfel Award, the top economic development award in the region. Established in 1993, the annual Holzaepfel Award recognizes an Athens Area Chamber of Commerce member business for exceptional economic impact.
“Director John Glazer and the team at TechGROWTH Ohio earned this prestigious distinction hands down based upon their exponential growth over the years and the assistance and resources offered to entrepreneurs to help start-ups succeed, such as help services, talent and capital,” Wendy Jakmas, president of the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce, said.
TechGROWTH Ohio is a public/private program that provides entrepreneurial support to start-up companies in southeast Ohio, and over the course of eight years, TechGROWTH Ohio has immensely impacted the southeastern Ohio area. With more than $232 million in economic activity generated since 2007 and 450 jobs created and/or retained, TechGROWTH Ohio has not only assisted hundreds of entrepreneurs but also aided the local economy while adding more value to the already thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in the area.
Glazer accepted the award on behalf of TechGROWTH Ohio during the chamber's annual awards dinner last Thursday evening at the Ohio University Inn and Conference Center.
"TechGROWTH has been an effective program because of the vibrant ecosystem in the region that supports entrepreneurship and innovation," Glazer said. “Coming from the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce, this award is especially meaningful to us because it shows that the business community recognizes firsthand the challenges of starting and growing businesses."
The chamber award is named for Mike Holzaepfel, a district manager and economic development specialist for a major utility company in Athens who worked tirelessly and passionately on economic development. Mike has since moved out of the area, but the chamber still chooses to honor his efforts with this special achievement distinction.
More information about TechGROWTH Ohio is available at techgrowthohio.com.