Businesses large and small in Lawrence Township were recognized for their contributions toward the economic growth of the municipality at the Growth and Redevelopment Committee’s annual awards ceremony this week.
Five businesses, the Lawrence Township Public Schools and one individual were honored at the event, which was held Oct. 10 at the Cobblestone Creek Country Club, Lawrenceville Road.
Cooper Pest Control, which has been a longtime business in Lawrence Township, was presented with the Mayor’s Award for Economic or Community Development. The company began in 1955 and moved to Lawrence Township in 1972, Mayor Christopher Bobbitt said.
Over the years, the company, “known for its iconic green trucks,” outgrew its offices on Lawrence Station Road, Bobbitt said. Recently, Cooper Pest Control relocated to the stand-alone building at the Lawrence Shopping Center that has housed a movie theater and a fitness center over the years.
Phillip Cooper, the company’s chief executive officer, said being part of Lawrence Township is a “very special thing,” and said the company was delighted when it discovered the building was available for rent.
“We really didn’t want to leave Lawrence Township,” he said.
The move has worked so well that Cooper Pest Control has extended its initial two-year lease for another seven years, Cooper said.
Next up was the New Large Business Award, which was presented to RWJ Rehabilitation at Delaware Valley for remodeling space in an office building at 123 Franklin Corner Road to accommodate its physical therapy unit. The award recognizes a successful new business, either a start-up or a relocation.
The Beauty Bar Design Studio at 1871 Brunswick Pike was awarded the New Small Business Award for renovations to its space. The award targets a business with 50 or fewer employees that has opened or relocated within the past year.
Owner Wioletta Wyszynski said she was grateful for the award, and thanked her staff and her family for not thinking she was crazy to open a business. It’s a risk, she said, but she was motivated to do it. The business employs several people, including six stylists, an aesthetician and a makeup artist.
Lawrence Family Chiropractic and its owner, chiropractor Eric Jaszewski, received the Business Service Award. The business frequently contributes to charities, such as the Wounded Warrior Project.
Jaszewski said he intended to open his business in Hamilton Township, but he was steered toward Lawrence Township as a place to open the business. He said he is very happy with that decision.
Explorations Community Preschool and Daycare Center, 1805 Princeton Ave., was awarded the New Building/Renovation Award for taking on the remodeling of a former daycare center whose owners abandoned the location several years ago.
Shana Schiavo, who owns the daycare center with her mother and sister, said she began taking care of young children in her home in the township. More recently, the family has operated the daycare and after-school care programs at the Slackwood Presbyterian Church.
In addition to the business awards, the Growth and Redevelopment Committee recognizes a business, organization, community group or individual that promotes environmental sustainability, plus another award for a business, individual or community group that helps to promote the preservation of Lawrence Township history.
The Ralph Copleman Environmental Award, named for the resident who played a role in creating Sustainable Lawrence, was present to the Lawrence Township Public Schools. The district participates in the Sustainable Jersey for Schools program.
Andrew Zuckerman, director of instructional services, accepted the award on behalf of the school district. Among other sustainability measures, the district installed solar energy panels on the roofs of the seven schools. The sale of solar renewable energy credits in the decade since the solar panels were installed has generated $2 million in revenue from the sale of SRECs.
The final award, the Podmore/Dwyer Historic Award, was presented to former township historian Dennis Waters, who stepped down after 12 years earlier this year. The township historian is appointed by the Township Council for a four-year term.
Waters thanked the Growth and Redevelopment Committee for honoring him, as well as the council. Speaking about his role as township historian, Waters said understanding a town’s history can help make the connection to new residents.