Dexter Chamber of Commerce Honors Dapco Industries as 2012 Business of the Year

In a night of celebration and showcasing, the (DACC) recognized several local businesses and residents for their commitment to the community during its annual awards banquet at on Tuesday.

The event was held as a make up for the chamber's original awards banquet, which was interrupted by the on March 15.

"Tonight is really about honoring those members of the community who have gone above and beyond what it means to be part of our little village," Paula Palmer Burns, DACC president said. "A lot of people are digging in to turn our economy around and not waiting for it to turn around."

Reflecting on the past two months, as residents in Dexter Village and Dexter Township have begun rebuilding in the aftermath of the tornado, Palmer Burns said she has been touched by the outpouring of support from businesses and volunteers.

"I've had the opportunity to be on the ground and see people coming together, and that's pretty impressive," she said. "I'm proud to be part of the business community that helps that happen. When you look around the room today, our village and our schools are well represented. It's something that makes me proud to say I'm third generation Dexter."

Ron Tupper, president of Dapco Industries was presented the Business of the Year Award. Dapco has been in the community for more than 60 years and manufactures small engine parts worldwide.

"Dapco's success since 1943 brings new meaning to the term 'making widgets in your garage.' They have always had a job available for anyone, constantly has sponsorships for organizations' causes, and decades back found a way to stay rooted in Dexter, and has remained here for three generations," Palmer Burns said.

Dapco plans to expand the west side of its building at 2500 Bishop Circle East, which will be used for new equipment to make parts for the small engine industry and is expected to bring 10 new jobs to the village in the fall.

"We're very proud of Dexter, and we're happy to contribute to the sucess of the village and the chamber," Tupper said.

The Rookie of the Year Award was presented to . The award recognizes a new business community that has invested time, money and other resources back into the community.

"Red Brick has continually partnered with other chamber members, local initiatives, and a broad range of organizations. When a nonprofit or school team comes, they find a way to help them out," Burns said.

Red Brick celebrated its one-year anniversary in August 2011.

The Spark Plug Award, which recognizes a member of the community that exhibits strong leadership skills, went to Mary Marshall, superintendent of Dexter Community Schools.

"Mary is the quarterback of one of the most amazing school systems that I believe in. If Dexter Schools starts from the top down, then it is by far the best school district in Michigan. I can not say enough positive things about Dexter Community Schools," Palmer Burns said.

Prior to the awards presentation, state Rep. Mark Ouimet, R-Scio Township, outlined the state's current economy and encouraged chamber members to continue working together to market Dexter on a daily basis.

"If there's one thing that you take away from this evening tonight, it's that you are part of something special from the standpoint of being part of an economy that is no longer considered the rust belt," Ouimet said. "You are part of an economy that is reinvesting. For the first time in a decade we have turned around the outflow of people in our state. That bodes well for everybody.

"When we have more people working, more people paying taxes, more revenue back to the businesses, then we're really building the foundation for what Michigan needs to succeed."