Berlin honors ‘milestone’ businesses

The Town of Berlin is rounding out 2022 with the revival of the Milestone Awards, honoring long-time businesses.

The 2022 Milestone Awards were handed out between Sept. 1 to Dec. 29, recognizing smaller, locally owned businesses that have been operating for more than 25 years.

Berlin Economic Development Director Chris Edge started the awards in 2019 with a ceremony, which has not been repeated due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The honors were restored this year, recognizing 25 companies that hit milestones in 2020, 2021 or 2022.

“We are so pleased to be able to honor these 25 family-owned firms that call Berlin home,” Edge said. “The amazing time of 25 to 120 years in business shows their loyalty to being a vital part of the community of Berlin and central Connecticut as a whole.”

He said the honors are a “wonderful way to thank firms with a 25-plus-year history in Berlin.”

Some companies are just hitting the 25-year mark, like Jacunski Humes Architects,or Central CT Lawn, operating for 30 years.

New Britain Transportation and Tyler Equipment were lauded for hitting the century mark. Okay Industries was honored for 110 years in business and Berlin Steel for 120 years.

Many of these firms and their employees helped the community to thrive during and after COVID, Edge added.

Those honored starting in September are Attorney Rick Pentore, 45 years; Jacunski Humes Architects, 25 years; Fortunato Construction, 30 years; Central CT Lawn, 30 years; Sirois Tool, 60 years; Kensington Pizza, 45 years; AMCO Precision, 55 years; New Britain Transportation, 100 years; Okay Industries, 110 years; Fischer Precision Spindles, 35 years; Tyler Equipment, 100 years; Higgins Flooring, 70 years; Kensington Auto, 30 years; Drain Doctor, 50 years; Mickey Finn’s, 75 years; EDRO, 75 years; KGC, 60 years; Berlin Steel, 120 years; Cutting Edge, 35 years; Acura, 50 years; Precision Punch, 55 years; Alden Tool, 75 years; Cambridge Specialty, 70 years; Powerhouse, 40 years; and Central Pizza, 55 years.

Hanna Snyder Gambini | Hartford Business Journal