POUGHKEEPSIE, NY: The Think Dutchess Alliance for Business is excited to announce the winners of the upcoming 2023 Business Excellence Awards. This year’s awards celebration will be held at The Culinary Institute of America on November 2, 2023. For more than 20 years, the Business Excellence Awards has recognized local businesses and nonprofit organizations that are significantly contributing to Dutchess County’s economy, diversity and community growth.
“Every year, we look forward to celebrating businesses that are making Dutchess County a better place to live and work,” said Think Dutchess CEO Sarah Lee. “This year’s winners play a critical role in our county’s success by boosting our local economy and creating good-paying jobs that help residents put food on the table and lead fulfilling lives. We’re incredibly grateful for their partnership and the work they will continue to do for the people of Dutchess County.”
Think Dutchess is proud to honor the following businesses at this year’s awards celebration:
Grand Award: onsemi
Earlier this year, onsemi moved into East Fishkill, investing more than $1.3 billion to establish the nation’s only 12-inch power discrete image sensor fab. The semiconductor manufacturer’s investment in Dutchess County has been critical to the region’s workforce and boosting New York’s leadership in the semiconductor industry. onsemi currently employs over 1,000 people at the site and is playing a critical role in building a strong local talent pipeline. Through a partnership with Dutchess BOCES and Dutchess Community College’s Mechatronics Lab, the company aims to prepare students for careers in advanced manufacturing, engineering and other high-paying STEM fields.
Large Business of the Year: DocuWare
Since opening its new U.S. office in Beacon earlier this year, DocuWare has continued to expand its operations serving businesses across more than 100 countries. DocuWare’s flagship product is a cloud services document management and workflow solution that helps businesses digitally store data and automate their day-to-day processes. Hiring locally as much as possible, DocuWare invests in its employees by choosing to locate in a walkable community, offering a positive and modern environment with flexible work options while continuing to prioritize the employee experience. The software company has already become a fixture of Dutchess County, supporting both its employees and the community as a whole. DocuWare partnered with the Salvation Army Beacon Corps Community Center Food Pantry for its annual team-building event, which centered around fighting food insecurity in the Beacon Community. The company also supports local tech education through sponsoring free tech training courses followed by job-placement support for graduates of this program.
Small Business of the Year: Creature Comforts Animal Hospital, P.C.
Providing life-saving medical and surgical services to cats, dogs and “exotic” species, Creature Comforts Animal Hospital has earned a reputation in the Tri-State area for helping owners give their pets the highest quality of life possible. Creature Comforts Animal Hospital was a critical voice in the community throughout the COVID pandemic, adapting to social distancing regulations and taking in more clients due to increased adoptions while educating their clients on how the pandemic affects pet health. The practice and its owner Dr. Alissa Fairlie, have become a pillar of the region’s veterinary medicine community, offering continuing education and networking opportunities for current veterinarians as well as internship opportunities for students in SUNY Ulster’s veterinary technician program.
Innovator of the Year: River Valley Arts Center
River Valley Arts Center (RVAC) is making the arts more accessible to everybody in the Hudson Valley region. Since opening in Fall 2021, RVAC has filled a critical need in the Dutchess County community – a safe space where people of all ages and abilities can come together to develop new skills and celebrate their creativity through classes, workshops and other events. Studio spaces also serve entrepreneurs and small businesses by giving them a place to share their talents and grow their businesses without the stress of renting their own brick-and-mortar.
Nonprofit of the Year: In Flight, Inc.
Since 1993, In Flight has empowered people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the Hudson Valley region through programs that teach independent living and employment skills. Driven by the purpose of building a more inclusive, supportive world, In Flight has made critical strides in breaking down the barriers and stigmas people with disabilities face. Events like their annual Cornhole for a Cause bring the whole community together, raising awareness of ways businesses can support community members in In Flight’s programs and connecting people through activities everyone can participate in.
Tickets for the 2023 Business Excellence Awards are available for purchase here.