The Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce was pleased to award local businesses for the second We Mean Business awards at the quarterly Member Meeting on July 26th, 2023.
It is important to the Chamber to highlight the importance of local business. Local businesses provide jobs and contribute to the growth and development of the local economy. That is why it is important to recognize and celebrate the achievements of local business owners, leaders and employees who have worked tirelessly to build successful organizations.
The We Mean Business awards seeks to shine a spotlight on local business, entrepreneurs and organizations, highlighting their hard work, drive and resilience in the face of challenges. Through collaboration, innovation, technology and great customer service, they have been able to build thriving businesses that are making a meaningful impact in their communities. We encourage everyone to support local businesses and help them continue to thrive for years to come.
Bruce Davis (left) with Germanna Community College and David Cooper (right) with the Thurman Brisben Homeless Shelter accepted the Best in Collaboration for the We Mean Business Awards
Best Collaboration
The Brisben Center is the largest homeless shelter of its kind and purpose in the entire region. The Center provides hand-up, wraparound services for homeless families with children, and singles across the counties of Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George, Caroline, and the City of Fredericksburg. Much more than shelter, the Center provides services that address root causes of homelessness so that participants are equipped to acquire and sustain their homes.
The Germanna Community College School of Nursing students and interns provide health screening and encourage medical attention for shelter participants that otherwise may suffer with hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes, and smoking cessation. The collaboration started by Dr. Lisk, newly retired, provides much needed medical services at no cost, to the men, women and children who find the Brisben Center their temporary home. The students and interns are warm, professional, and extremely supportive. The collaboration is a win-win opportunity for our community and one of our most vulnerable populations.
Warner Jensen accepted the Most Innovative award for Bloomia at the We Mean Business Awards
Most Innovative
Bloomia is always looking for ways to run their operation while producing as little CO2 emissions as possible, Bloomia has sun panels on the roof of their Bloomia USA location, right down the road in King George. Bloomia is always eager to find new ways to combat pollution and limit their carbon footprint because they want you to enjoy their flowers for a long time and that means helping the planet earth. They updated their entire greenhouse to a tabling system. Now, once the tulips are picked, they are sent directly to bunching. The new system moves the tulips around the greenhouse efficiently and delivers them straight to the team, they are packaged quickly with no wait time. Picking is a lot faster now and due to the elevated height of the new system; it provides ergonomic support to the team when picking. With the new greenhouse tabling system, they can grow 35% more flowers in the same space.
George Barnick with Fredericksburg Technology accepted the Best in Tech award for the We Mean Business Awards
Best in Tech
Fredericksburg Technology is a hometown company, young, vibrant, and innovative. All your technology managed offerings include: IT Services, Network Engineering, Cybersecurity, Risk Analysis, Business Phone Systems and HIPAA Compliance. Serving 120 businesses and growing, 1000 devices managed with great customer service at the focal point. An equal balance of giving back and providing great service to the Fredericksburg region and beyond. Some recent projects included working with Bloomia, Ristorante Renato, LifeCare Medical Transports and SmithWorx’s.
Noah Adams, Tony Farland, Leigh Snyder and Phillip Pierce accept the Benevolence in Business award at the We Mean Business Awards
Benevolence in Business
Community Bank of the Chesapeake received a numerous number of nominations for this recognition.
Some of the nominations stated:
“Community Bank of Chesapeake is an outstanding community partner in terms of philanthropy. They are unmatched for personal service as bankers, and they donate to and support what must be hundreds of events and charities.”
“They are the heartbeat of Fredericksburg always there and willing to give.”
“Their customer service is unmatched. They truly care about the business community and want to see their clients succeed.”
“The whole team is incredibly friendly and are always there to answer your questions.”
Their community spirit, values and great customer services are why Community Bank of the Chesapeake are our 2023 We Mean Business, Benevolence In Business award recipient.