Grindstone Award

Grindstone Award Recipients
Honoring Outstanding Contributions from Outstanding Citizens of Berea
Since 1967, the Berea Chamber of Commerce has presented the Grindstone Award to outstanding citizens who have contributed their time and effort through volunteer service to make Berea a better place to live. The winner is chosen based on nominations received from members of the community each year.
In 2016, the Berea Chamber of Commerce expanded the awards program to also include the Courtesy and Rising Star Awards. The Courtesy Award acknowledges employees from businesses in the city of Berea who have gone above and beyond in their line of work to serve their customers and the general public through the Courtesy Award. Courtesy Award recipients are selected based on nominations from members of the community who have been positively impacted by the nominee, including employers, supervisors, coworkers, customers, students, or the general public. The Rising Star Award recognizes a new business that has already made a strong and positive impact on the community. The recipient is selected by the Berea Chamber of Commerce Board of Trustees.
In 2022, the chamber added a new award category, the Future Leader Award. This award is presented to high school or college students who are excelling in both their areas of study as well as in their service to the greater community. We are excited to recognize them as the future leaders of our region.
The Grindstone, Courtesy, Rising Star, and Future Leader Award winners are honored at an awards banquet which takes place each year in September.
Nominations are accepted on a rolling basis, however the deadline to submit a nomination for 2023 consideration is July 31, 2023.
Learn more about the criteria and submit a nomination by clicking on the button below.

Photo caption: 2021 Grindstone Award recipient, Dave Pusti, with previous year Grindstone Award winners.
Congratulations to the 2022 Grindstone Award Recipient
Dennis Kushlak
Congratulations to the 2022 Rising Star Award recipient
Palm Wellness LLC
Congratulations to the 2022 Legacy Award recipient
Southwest General Health Center
Congratulations to the 2022 Courtesy Award recipients
Fred Abraham - Generations Senior Living of Berea
Julie DiFrancesco - Berea-Midpark High School
Jo-Anne Paciotti - Giant Eagle
Allen Scott - Berea Fire Department
Katie Street - Berea-Midpark High School
Congratulations to the 2022 Future Leader Award recipients
Lily Henry - Ohio University
Rose Henry - Berea-Midpark High School
Tom Henry - Berea-Midpark High School
Andy Scott - St. Edward High School

Photo Caption: 2022 Courtesy Award recipients

Photo Caption: 2022 Grindstone Award recipient, Dennis Kushlak.