The Chronicle received the Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year award last night at the Chambers annual banquet.
The event, which was the business groups 23rd annual banquet, was held at the Aerie Ballroom on Tower Avenue in downtown Centralia.
Ron Hall, the outgoing chairman of the Chambers executive committee, said he selected The Chronicle as the recipient of the award for a number of reasons, one being its economic impact on the community.
He talked about the business ventures of Lafromboise Communications, of which The Chronicle is a part, adding that it generates $10 million in annual revenue.
Dennis Waller, publisher of The Chronicle since 1992, and company owner Jeri Lafromboise accepted the award on behalf of the newspaper.
I think the community is better served if it has an assertive newspaper, said Waller, who spoke about the duties of a newspaper and the need to sometimes take a stand that may not be popular with everyone.
Prior to the banquet, The Chronicles Executive Editor Michael Wagar said the newspaper was honored to be presented the award, and that there is a long list of businesses that care about the community that have been granted the award in the past.
Security State Bank was also honored at the event as the recipient of the Business After Hours of 2007.
Also honored were Greg Lund and Dr. Paul Williams, who are retiring from the Chambers board of directors.
Close to 250 people attended the event, which marks the annual change on the Chambers board of directors. Neil White, owner of the Aerie Ballroom, will take over for Ron Hall as the new chairman of the executive board.
