The business world can be a pretty black-and-white place; success is often measured in strict financial terms.
But other successes go beyond accounting books. That’s what the Butte Chamber of Commerce recognized Wednesday night at its annual dinner.
The event has grown from just more than 100 attendees in the early 2000s to more than 600 people this year. Awards in five categories were distributed.
“I really think that people are starting to pay more attention to what’s going on around them in the community,” said chamber Executive Director Marko Lucich, “and the importance of congratulating people and patting them on the back.”
The chamber tried to incorporate as many young people in the event as possible; local school groups volunteered and Dynamic Dance and Tumbling Academy performed.
“This gives them an opportunity to see what our community’s about,” said chamber marketing director Stephanie Sorini said.
The chamber changed up one award this year. The Harold McGrath Award was split into two categories – one for business with more than 50 employees, and one for businesses with 50 or fewer.
Harold McGrath Award, 50-plus division
It’s hard to argue that there’s a business that impacts more people in Butte than St. James Healthcare. Between its more than 600 employees, thousands of patients and millions of dollars spent of charitable care, it certainly meets the “quality of life” contribution in the McGrath Award description.
The business and its charitable foundation were nominated by Town Pump executive Bill McGladdery.
“The commitment of St. James Healthcare and the St. James Healthcare Foundation to the Butte community has been built on its 133-year history of care,” he wrote in the nomination letter.
Harold McGrath Award, under 50 division
Triples S Building Center has literally been living up to its name. Its expansion, and the transformation it’s wrought at 100 E. Front St., earned the hardware store and building supplier recognition. The company has grown from 10 employees in 1988 to 35 today; the business is finishing up a major remodeling project that started in May 2013.
“These improvements are not only an investment in their business but also a major investment in our community,” nominator Diana Farrow of Pioneer Concrete wrote. “It is my hope that they many improvements made to their business will influence other local businesses to follow suit.”
Mike Venner “Spirit of Butte” Award
Frank Butori Jr. helps cars hold together at Butori Collision Center, 1811 Four Mile View Road. But he’s just as committed to holding his community together. Butori was recognized for his contribution to charitable groups and the compassionate way he runs his business.
“I know Frank loves this town, and he shows it,” nominator Destina McLaughlin wrote. “He feels that he needs to give back to the hand that feeds him.”