Published: September 11, 2008 12:14 pm         

Chamber announces small-business awards

ONEONTA _ The Shipping Room of Oneonta has been selected to receive the KeyBank ninth annual Small Business Award, and The Cooperstown Cookie Co. was named winner of the James Jordan Associates, Architects third annual Breakthrough Award, the Otsego County Chamber announced Thursday.

“These awards celebrate the true backbone of upstate New York and the nation’s economy,” Rob Robinson, president and CEO of the Chamber, said. “Small business is where it all happens!”

The awards will be presented at the Small Business Banquet Oct.9 at the Otesaga Resort Hotel in Cooperstown.

“The Shipping Room is recognized as a small business that provides mailroom and package services throughout central New York,” said Jim Empie, Key Bank vice president. “In addition, The Shipping Room actively supports many local organizations throughout Otsego County. Key Bank congratulates The Shipping Room as the recipient of the 9th Annual Small Business Award.”

Gary J. Laing, owner of The Shipping Room, said, “Innovation and Determination ... that’s being a small business. And that is what we practice everyday.”

The Shipping Room opened in 1991 as a drop off location for UPS, Fed Ex and US Mail. Two years later in 1993, The Shipping Room expanded to mail fulfillment and processing of numerous mail classes.

In 1998, a new building was constructed at 291 Chestnut St. in Oneonta in an effort to consolidate the two locations of The Shipping Room. In 2006, The Shipping Room opened a satellite office at the State Universirt College at Oneonta.

In 2006, The Shipping Room became a member of the USPS Approved Shipper Program. In 2007, The Shipping Room was the No. 1 revenue-producing location under the USPS Approved Shipper Program in the country.

The Shipping Room has been an active partner in the area’s community events, including their own annual pig roast that raises money for the Opportunities for Otsego Heating Assistance Program and the Huntington Library Children’s Reading Program.

Jim Jordan of James Jordan Associates, Architects, the sponsor of the Breakthrough Award, said he was excited to celebrate my love of baseball, love of cookies and the success of this entrepreneurial spirited family-run enterprise bakery. The Cooperstown Cookie Company is a true statement of what the free enterprise system is all about.”

Pati Grady, owner, said the cookie company was ``approaching our fourth year in business, and it’s been a wild, wonderful ride. With hard work, flexibility and a great-tasting baseball cookie, the Cooperstown Cookie Company has gained customers nationwide and abroad, terrific media coverage and great support from the baseball community.''

The firm's products are made in cooperation with Pathfinder Village of Edmeston and Human Technologies Corp., the nonprofit organization that packages and mails the cookie tin orders. HTC is a company of diverse businesses committed to enhancing the quality of life for people with disabilities and others who have barriers to employment.

Grady said she brings her entrepreneurial spirit, a passion for baking, and long-standing ties to the Cooperstown community to her role as founder and president. When conceptualizing her company, she said, she made a conscious decision to tap the world-class talent and resources available locally.

For information about the banquet, contact Pam Ferguson at the Chamber 432-4500, extension 201 or pam@otsegocountychamber.com.