2025 Chamber Awards

On Thursday evening, Oct. 9, 2025, the Merrill Area Chamber of Commerce held its annual banquet, celebration, and awards ceremony.
Emily Gibson was named Ambassador of the Year for going above and beyond and making many visits to area businesses, in addition to her many hours of volunteer work on Merrill Area Chamber events.
Businesses of the Year were also awarded in multiple categories.
In advance of the event, Chamber members nominated businesses in each category (Small, Large, Non-Profit, and Hometown Business of the Year) as well as individuals to be recognized in a new category honoring an emerging leader in the community with the Emerging Leader Award. Members then voted for the nominees, and the winners were announced at the banquet.

Nominees and award winners

Businesses nominated for 2025 Small Business of the Year were: Anovia Health, Central Carpet and Flooring, Courtside Furniture, Crossbridge Community Bank, Ed & Sharon’s, Edward Jones, Klug’s Country Gold, Lincoln County Economic Development Corporation, Nicolet National Bank, The Humble, Sawmill Brewing Company, and OCCH Services.
The winner of the 2025 Small Business of the Year was Sawmill Brewing Company.

Nominees for the 2025 Hometown Business of the Year were: Copper Mine Laser Design, CWA, Geiss Meat Service, Hugo’s Pizza, Merrill Foto News, Merrill Golf Club, Mitchell Metal Products, Park City Credit Union, Sawmill Brewing Company, Lincoln Windows, and Nicolet National Bank.
The winner of the 2025 Hometown Business of the Year was Hugo’s Pizza.

Nominees for the 2025 Non-Profit Organization of the Year were: HAVEN, Lincoln County Fair, Little Lakes Memories, Merrill City Band, Merrill Noon Optimist, Boys & Girls Club, River District Development Foundation, and Rotary International.
The winner of the 2025 Non-Profit Organization of the Year was the Boys & Girls Club of Merrill.

Nominees for Emerging Leader of the Year were: Andrew Podeweltz of Breaman Merrill Ford, Max Zelich of Zelich Customs, Rebecca Klessig of Agra Industries, and Zach Kubichek of Sawmill Brewing Company.
The Emerging Leader of the Year Award for 2025 went to Rebecca Klessig.
Please join us in congratulating the 2025 Businesses of the Year and Merrill’s first recipient of the new Emerging Leader Award.