Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce Celebrates 30 Years

WHITINSVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS, November 4, 2008 ... The Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce will hold it's 30th Annual Meeting & Awards Breakfast on Wednesday, November 12, 2008 from 7:30AM - 9:30AM at Pleasant Valley Country Club, 95 Armsby Road Sutton, MA. Keynote Speaker is former CNN Washington Political Analyst Michele Mitchell.

There will be a presentation of awards to those people who have exhibited exemplary service to the Chamber or contributed to the economic development and promotion of the Blackstone Valley. The Gerry Gaudette Extra Mile Award will be presented to Charles Bolack, Editor of the Grafton News for his lifetime support and contributions to the communities of the Valley. The Economic Development Award will be presented to William Walsh, Chairman of the Blackstone BOH for leading the effort to form the Blackstone Valley Regional Recycling Center, the Tourism Award, will be presented to Ellen Onorato, of the Blackstone Daily News for her continuing contributions to tourism in the Valley and three Cornerstone Awards for developing, expanding or renovating a business and contributing to the economic vitality of the Valley to WGB Properties LLC for Brookmeadow Crossing South Grafton, New England Disposal Technologies new headquarters in Sutton, and Magill Associates for the new clubhouse at Highfields Golf & Country Club. The Chamber will also be recognizing incoming chair James Paulhus, Vice President of Unibank, and soon to e ex-officio Joseph Barbato, President of Millbury Federal Credit Union. Presenting Sponsor is Citadel Broadcasting whose local radio stations are long time supporters of the BVCC. Supporting sponsors are Unibank and Millbury Federal Credit Union.

"With the elections the week before the meeting, it is a perfect time for political insight from a professional with such an impressive resume," said Jeannie Hebert, President of Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce. Michele Mitchell is an award-winning Washington political correspondent, author and film maker. She was the political anchor for CNN Headline News and has covered stories in Afghanistan, West Bank, Nepal, Libya, Jordan and throughout the United States. She has written op-eds for The New York Times, Washington Post, Boston Globe, USA Weekend, Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Scripps-Howard, among others. She is the author of three books and serves on the Authors Guild Advisory Board. She now runs the independent media company Film@11 Media, which provides original, real content with attitude on four main topics-the war on terror, shrinking middle class economy, environment and the 2008 election.

The mission of the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce is to promote the economic vitality of the Blackstone Valley, meet the needs of the Chamber's business members, while providing leadership on issues which impact the economy and quality of life in the Valley. For more information on the Chamber or to register for this event please contact Anne Chamberlain at 508-234-9090 or achamberlain [at] blackstonevalley [dot] org.