Meet the 2025 Nominees:

• Encompass Recreation + Adirondack Foothills Cycling Club | All Kids Bike Program Through a unique partnership, Encompass Recreation and the Adirondack Foothills Cycling Club brought the national All Kids Bike program to Lewis and Jefferson Counties, helping 30 children of all abilities learn to ride safely. With initial investments and in-kind donations adding up to $10,000+ from United Way, Excellus, and several local sponsors, the program has been sustained through the purchase of bikes, helmets, and curriculum—ensuring every child not only learns to ride but also takes home a bike of their own. 

• NRCIL | Lewis County Bridges Out of Poverty NRCIL’s Bridges Out of Poverty initiative empowers individuals and families to build stability and write their own future stories, while also strengthening resources across the community. In 2025, NRCIL and partners from Lewis County Public Health and Priorities Council celebrated the 10th cohort of “Getting Ahead in a Just Gettin’ By World” graduates, trained 44 people in 2025 and 323 people since 2018 in Bridges strategies, and launched industry-specific learning collaboratives to engage community champions. With an investment of $30,000 in 2025, this work continues to create meaningful, long-term impact for Lewis County residents. 

• North Country Family Health Center (NoCo) | Lowville Acquisition + Expansion In 2025, North Country Family Health Center expanded its reach by acquiring Lowville Medical Associates and reopening it as the Lowville Family Health Center—retaining 7 trusted providers and 18 staff and adding 2 additional primary care providers while investing over $1,000,000 in significant facility upgrades. Now part of NoCo’s patient-centered network of 19 locations across Jefferson and Lewis Counties, which serves 1 in 7 residents within those counties, the Lowville site offers broader services and deeper support to ensure families continue receiving high-quality, community-based care close to home. 

• RT Federal Credit Union | Lyons Falls Branch Expansion In July 2025, RT Federal Credit Union opened its new $1.9 million state-of-the-art Lyons Falls branch, expanding access to modern banking and personalized financial services for Lewis County. The branch created four new jobs and features a community room open to the public for classes, seminars, and meetings. In addition to providing financial literacy resources for all ages, RTFCU offers free financial counseling to both members and non-members across Lewis County. As a not-for-profit, member-owned institution, RTFCU reinvests in its members and communities, making this expansion a lasting commitment to the people of Lewis County. 

Meet the 2025 Nominees:

• Cedar Creek Campgrounds | Campground Expansion A cherished destination for over 50 years, Cedar Creek Campground has invested $400,000 to enhance its role as a premier tourism hub. This major expansion includes key utility upgrades that will increase the capacity to add 35 new campsites, allowing them to welcome even more visitors from near and far to their 86-acre property. By blending modern improvements with classic family amenities like nature trails and wagon rides, Cedar Creek continues to serve as a true ambassador for the Lewis County outdoor experience. 

• Good Ol' Wishy's | Celebrating 30 Years of Service For 30 years, Good Ol’ Wishy’s has been a community staple and acts as an unofficial visitor's center in Croghan. With over $60,000 invested in building improvements, a new Airbnb loft, and the launch of Good Ol’ Spokes to support a growing cycling community, they continue to expand the local visitor experience. Wishy’s proudly employs 14 part-time staff (many students in their first jobs), supports 9 local sports teams (ice-cream after games included), and remains a hub for community celebrations and hospitality. 

• Lewis County Department of Recreation, Forestry & Parks | Revitalized Singing Waters Campground The Lewis County Department of Recreation, Forestry & Parks has revitalized Singing Waters Campground, transforming it into a premier outdoor destination for residents and visitors alike. A significant investment of [$X] has funded a modern bathhouse, an enhanced pavilion, upgraded campsites, and improved trail systems that directly enrich the visitor experience. This vision and commitment to upgrading key recreational infrastructure strengthens Lewis County's reputation as a top-tier destination for outdoor enthusiasts in the Tug Hill region.

Meet the 2025 Nominees:

• Evan Jennings | Quantify Consulting & Nexus Coworking Evan Jennings, owner of Quantify Consulting, provides boutique data analytics services that turn information into actionable insights for the public and private sectors and offers back-office automation that streamlines repetitive tasks, allowing clients to focus on their customers. This year he expanded his team, adding his first full-time employee, and launched Nexus Coworking in Lowville with a $10,000 investment to revitalize an existing building and create a collaborative space for remote workers, freelancers, and entrepreneurs—supporting local talent, fostering innovation, and contributing to Lewis County’s economic growth. 

• Christina & Wendy Meleshchuk | Crumbs Bakeshop + The Flour Loft Sisters, Tina and Wendy Meleshchuk, opened Crumbs Bakeshop in October 2022 and have since transformed their downtown property into both a thriving bakery and two beautifully renovated short-term rental units known as The Flour Loft. With an investment of over $143,000, they’ve combined entrepreneurship with community revitalization—bringing new energy, charm, and visitors to the heart of Lewis County. Today, they proudly employ 6 part-time staff, further growing their impact as local business leaders. 

• Scott & Ingrid Moshier | Wolff's Body Shop, Monnat & Nortz, the Old Croghan Engine House, and Moving Mountains Café Through vision and investment, Scott & Ingrid Moshier have helped spark downtown Croghan’s continued revitalization efforts. They have invested over $168,000 to renovate the historic Croghan Engine House into apartments and a satellite shop for Monnat & Nortz, and nearly $80,000 to expand Moving Mountains Café with a larger kitchen and menu. Their commitment is creating new jobs, strengthening local infrastructure, and ensuring Croghan’s business district thrives for years to come.

Meet the 2025 Nominees:

• Jeb’s Restaurant | Resilience and Revitalization After devastating flood damage forced them to close for over a month in 2024, Jeb’s Restaurant demonstrated remarkable resilience, creativity, and commitment to their staff and community. With significant investments totaling [$XXXXXX] in recovery and facility upgrades to prevent future disasters, Jeb’s not only rebuilt but revitalized their operations. They proudly retained all of their staff and fully compensated them during the closure—showing true dedication to their team. Employing [X] people, Jeb’s continues to serve as a hub and community staple in Lewis County—proving the strength of local businesses and the power of community support. 

• Red Barn Meats | Smokehouse & Retail Expansion Red Barn Meats invested $2.8 million in a 6,000 sq. ft. expansion to produce USDA-certified smoked products like jerky and snack sticks, adding 5 new jobs and strengthening its long-term presence in Lewis County. In 2025, the company also opened a beautiful retail storefront featuring local farmers and producers, further supporting the community and growing its workforce. 

• QubicaAMF | Project Pinfall QubicaAMF, the world’s leading manufacturer of bowling pins, proudly calls Lowville home—employing nearly 100 people and supporting over 130 vendors across New York State. In 2025, the company invested $900,000 in facility upgrades to strengthen its long-term presence in Lewis County, while continuing to provide second-chance employment opportunities that create financial stability for local families.