NORWICH – Chenango’s business, political and civic leaders gathered at the Canasawacta Country Club Wednesday for Commerce Chenango’s 51st annual dinner. Each year, the Chamber recognizes a leading local business and an individual who shows a committment to the community.

The Distinguished Business of the Year Award was presented to The Raymond Corporation in Greene. “Chenango County is fortunate to possess many successful companies worthy of this recognition,” said Commerce Chenango President and CEO Maureen Carpenter in her introduction of the award. “Notably, the 2010 Distinguished Business of the Year has provided 88 years of innovation, leadership and reliability,” she said. Carpenter detailed Raymond’s corporate history, emerging as the leading designer and manufacturer of lift trucks for the warehousing and distribution industry.

“The company as a whole embraces new challenges and sees them as opportunities to be continuously innovative and dynamic, and encourages employees to meet those challenges head on every day,” Carpenter said.