Jeff Elgie, Village Media CEO, received a special honour at the Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Business Achievement Awards held at Quattro May 6.
Elgie was presented with the Chamber’s Paul Dalseg Community Achievement Award.
The Paul Dalseg Award recognizes a businessperson in Sault Ste. Marie who has demonstrated exemplary interest in the community, and in so doing, has made a major, outstanding and unique achievement or contribution to the life of the community.
Elgie launched Village Media in 2013 with two Northern Ontario news sites, SooToday and BayToday.
Village Media is now one of Canada’s largest digital-only news networks, operating over 30 local news sites — including Northern Ontario Business — and partnering with more than 125 others across Canada and the United States.
“It's a huge honour for me to be here tonight among all of the nominees and the recipients,” Elgie told the Chamber audience gathered at Quattro Tuesday.
Through Village Media’s Random Acts of Kindness program the company regularly surprises individuals and organizations with meaningful gestures, such as supporting families in crisis.
Through the program, Village Media partners with local businesses to match community donations dollar for dollar to support local causes.
“The way we give back to the Sault is by keeping our corporate headquarters here. Sometimes it looks like surprising someone with the Random Acts of Kindness. Sometimes it looks like our local journalists keeping you informed, telling the stories about our community and your neighbours. Sometimes it's just showing up, sponsoring an event, contributing some cash, some services, lending a hand. That stuff's not extra for us. It's the job,” Elgie said in his award acceptance speech.
“I'm very honoured with this award, especially given the history of award winners that have made a really meaningful impact on the community. I'm very honoured and feel privileged to be part of that group,” Elgie told SooToday after Tuesday’s award ceremony.
Beginning with just a few staff members in the Sault, Village Media now employs approximately 50 people locally and approximately 170 across Ontario.
“I always wanted to stay in the Sault and grow a business here but the fact that we've grown Village Media so far beyond the walls of the community while still keeping the Sault as our headquarters is something I never would have guessed in the early days. I never really expected it would grow to the extent it has now,” Elgie said.
As for Village Media’s future?
“Always expanding,” Elgie said.
A full list of the winners follows:
- Excellence in Customer Service: Spark Rehabilitation Services
- Employer of the Year: Ontario Lottery & Gaming Corporation
- Leader in Accessibility: Grocer 4 Good Ability Development Program
- Excellence in Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: A.P.R. Welding Academy
- Community Investment: Sault Community Theatre Centre
- Excellence in Environmental Sustainability: GFL Environmental
- Excellence in Innovation and Technology: JD Aero
- Young Professional of the Year: Alexandra Greco of Aline Wellness
- Entrepreneur of the Year: Melissa Thompson of the Whisky Barrel
- Charity or Non-profit of the Year: Alzheimer Society Sault Ste. Marie & Algoma District
- Downtown Business of the Year: Paint & Décor Concepts
- New Business of the Year: Sunnd Nordic Eco Resort
- Indigenous Business of the Year: Thrive Tours
- Business of the Year (1-25 employees): Sault Ste. Marie Airport Development Corporation
- Business of the Year (26-100 employees): Spark Rehabilitation Services.
- Business of the Year (over 100 employees): Sal-Dan Developments Ltd.
- Economic Impact (business): Sal-Dan Developments Ltd.
- Economic Impact (individual): Tim Lukenda
- Volunteer of the Year: Karen Bird
- Skipper Manzzutti Award for Business Achievement: Albert Giommi
- President's Award: Sheila Purvis
