SOUTH POINT – The Greater Lawrence County Area Chamber of Commerce recognized three people this month for their contributions in the county’s business arena.

Thursday, November 30, 2000

SOUTH POINT – The Greater Lawrence County Area Chamber of Commerce recognized three people this month for their contributions in the county’s business arena.

At the membership’s 16th annual awards banquet Nov. 16, Phil Henson received the Entrepreneur of the Year award, Tom Hazlett received the Business of the Year award and Dr. Bill Dingus was named the Business Advocate of the Year.

All three individuals have been, and will continue to be, an asset to the county’s economy, said Richard Slack, chamber president.

Henson operates ConnectLink in Chesapeake, an Internet service provider. The company recently spearheaded work to offer wireless Internet service in Ironton.

Henson started the company in 1998 and it has done really well, Slack said.

Hazlett, who operates Hazlett Sign Co. in Burlington, was named business of the year for the contribution it has made to the county, as well as the business’s service and quality, Slack said.

Dr. Dingus, the recently retired dean of Ohio University Southern Campus, has served as president of the president of the Lawrence Economic Development Corporation and led the chamber’s legislative committee.

The partnership he forged between OUSC and the chamber as well as his work with the chamber’s many development activities earned him his award, Slack said.