The Merrill Area Chamber of Commerce held their annual celebration, banquet, and awards ceremony to recognize local area businesses and announce their Chamber Business of the Year Awards on Oct. 10, 2024. The banquet hall at Les & Jim’s Lincoln Lanes was filled with Chamber members and local community leaders including Merrill’s Mayor, “gathering to celebrate the successes of Merrill’s thriving business community,” a press release from the Chamber said.

The highlight of the event was the announcement of the Chamber Business of the Year awards, with all businesses nominated by and then voted on by their peers - the membership of the Merrill Area Chamber of Commerce. “This year’s winners reflect the diversity and strength of Merrill’s businesses and organizations,” the release said.

The award for 2024 Large Business of the Year went to Les & Jim’s Lincoln Lanes with Mark Bares accepting on behalf of the business. 2024 Mid-Size Business of the Year was awarded to Associated Bank; Merrill Branch Manager Emily Gibson and her team accepted the award. 2024 Small Business of the Year was awarded to the Lincoln County Humane Society; Board of Directors member Katie Helmstadter accepted on behalf of the Board.
The 2024 Hometown Business of the Year award went to Westside Market and Easy Wash Laundromat and owners Mark Raymer and Ryan Peacock and their employees accepted the award. The Merrill Police Association was named 2024 Non-profit Business of the Year, and Clyde Nelson accepted the award on their behalf in the absence of a representative from the association.

Weinbrenner Shoe Company was also honored with the 2024 Legacy Award, in recognition for their 88 years of serving the Merrill Community. President Jeff Burns accepted the award on behalf of the employee-owned company.
“We are incredibly proud of our local businesses and organizations that continue to make Merrill such a vibrant and welcoming community,” said Clyde Nelson, Executive Director of the Merrill Chamber of Commerce, via the release. “These awards recognize not only their economic contributions but also their dedication to supporting and serving our community.”

Celebrating Merrill business, nonprofits, and leaders

In his keynote address, “Celebrating You,” Nelson said, “We’re celebrating the entrepreneurs, the small business owners, the corporate leaders, the nonprofits, and the advocates of capitalism and free enterprise who keep Merrill thriving. You are the ones shaping the future of our community, and your leadership is what continues to make Merrill a place of opportunity, innovation, and growth.”

“Imagine the leadership exhibited in 1911 when a group of businessmen/entrepreneurs got together to form the Merrill Chamber of Commerce,” he said. “The courage, the leadership, the innovation it took to get this off the ground. It wasn’t that they could go to the internet and model themselves after other Chambers.”

“At that time there were only nine other chambers in the entire state of Wisconsin,” Nelson said. In existence, Chambers in: Metropolitan Milwaukee, Green Bay, Superior-Douglas County, Racine, LaCrosse, Beloit, Kenosha, Marinette, and Fond du Lac. The Merrill Area Chamber of Commerce is the 10th oldest Chamber in the state of Wisconsin, which currently has around 270 Chambers, he said.

“As John Quincy Adams once said, ‘If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.’”

“Just like those entrepreneurs, small business owners, and corporate leaders over 113 years ago when they formed the Merrill Chamber of Commerce,” Nelson said. “They were the original advocates of capitalism and free enterprise. And that’s what each of you represents. You continue to carry that torch. You are leaders - not only in your businesses and organizations, but in this community. By stepping up, taking risks, and inspiring others, you pave the way for growth and innovation.”

Chamber Board of Directors, staff, updates

The members of the Board of Directors of the Merrill Area Chamber of Commerce were recognized at the event, including current members: Chairperson Andrew Polzin, Chairperson Elect Lora Bladow, Treasurer Kurt Rust, Emeritus Nancy Kwiesielewicz, Past Chair Dr. Kate Gress, Angela Bailey, Ryan Martinovici, Jen Schlaefer, Mark Raymer, Tina L. Scott, Heath Heidemann, Tony Kusserow, Jessica Gipp, Dawn Gapko, and Korey Bloch. Also recognized and in attendance: Chamber Executive Director Clyde Nelson, Program Director Cheryl Skoug, Marketing Director Sarah Sturm, Marketing Team Member Theresa Grund, and Ex-officio members Sara Guild, Steve Hass, Rod Akey, and Renee Krueger. Newly elected 2025 members of the Board of Directors were announced: Tricia Detert representing Merrill Area Public Schools, Melissa Wrycha representing Park City Credit Union, and Nancy Stadler representing Nicolet Bank. And retiring Board members Kurt Rust and Ryan Martinovici were recognized and thanked for their service on the Board. Volunteer Deb Schleif was also recognized and thanked for all of her hard work and contributions over the course of the last year.

Chamber Ambassadors

Korey Bloch, Ambassador Chair, also recognized all of the many volunteer Chamber Ambassadors that contribute to the success of the Merrill Area Chamber including: Allyson English – Nicolet Bank, Bill Weston – Provident Insurance, Connor Sczygelski – Culver’s of Merrill, Danielle Wilcenski – Park City Credit Union, Dawn and Tim Dunbar – DD Photography, Dawn Smith – City of Merrill Park and Recreation Department, Emily Gibson – Associated Bank, Jennifer Porath – Wipfli, Kevin Hill – Merrill Sheet Metal Works, Konnor Beyer – Associated Bank, Korey Block – Weinbrenner Shoe Company, Len Kats – Riva Merchant Solutions LLC, Molly Lyon – Church Mutual Insurance, Sasha Everett – In the Lite Electric, Shelly Storm – Park City Credit Union, and Sue Kunkel – Park City Credit Union.
Molly Lyon was honored as the 2024 Ambassador of the Year.
For more information about the Merrill Chamber of Commerce, go to merrillchamber.org or call 715.536.9474.