Hanover’s Perspective
Hanover Recognizes Legacy Businesses & 2024 Marc Weiss Award Recipient at Business Appreciation Event
The 2024 Hanover County Business Appreciation event, hosted by the Hanover County Department of Economic Development with assistance from the Hanover Chamber of Commerce, was held on September 18, 2024, at James River Cellars Winery. This year’s event, sponsored by Wegmans with additional supporting sponsorships from Bon Secours, Creative, Timmons Group, Luck Stone Companies and Rappahannock Electric, continued recognition of Hanover County Legacy Businesses and conferment of the Marc S. Weiss Award.
The ceremony was opened by comments and greetings made by Susan P. Dibble, Chair of the Hanover County Board of Supervisors. Hanover’s Economic Development Director, Brandon Turner, led the ceremony and announced the Legacy Business Award recipients.
Legacy Businesses are entities that have operated in the County for 50 or more consecutive years. Since the inception of the awards in 2018, 61 business entities across many industries have been recognized. The businesses recognized this year were E. Granville Wade, Jr., Inc. (72 years) and Dorn’s Body & Paint (60 years) both located in the Mechanicsville District.
The Marc S. Weiss Award recognizes a Hanover-based business or entity that has demonstrated a lasting commitment to innovation, meaningful growth, global involvement and leadership and service within the Hanover business community. The award, presented this year to Blazer Heating, Air and Plumbing located in the Mechanicsville District by County Administrator, John Budesky, was accepted by Bobby Broyles, Director of Marketing and Community Relations at Blazer.
Blazer Heating, Air & Plumbing, founded in 1989 by Scott Broyles, operates with the belief that the quality of their service over quantity is of paramount importance. Blazer provides high-quality heating and air conditioning services as well as plumbing through the Greater Richmond community. They believe in taking time with customers to educate them on their HVAC and plumbing systems; and heavily invest in coaching and consulting of their team members. A recent move to a new building on Pole Green Road has provided more visibility and prominence in the community.
Blazer is actively involved with an extensive list of organizations which include the Hanover and King Willian Habitat for Humanity, various local Booster Clubs, the Atlee Recreation Association, the Mechanicsville and Atlee Little Leagues, the Atlee Gators Swim Team, the Five-O’s Tiki Foundation, and the Hanover Chamber of Commerce. Blazer demonstrates a lasting commitment to leadership and service within the local community.
In 2023, Blazer was awarded the Hanover County Spirit of Volunteerism Commitment to Community Award and Virginia’s prestigious Governor’s Volunteerism and Community Service Award for Outstanding Small Business. Blazer shines as a Hanover business that loves to innovate, educate and engage with the community.
Hanover County would like to extend congratulations to this year’s award recipients. Additional thanks are extended to James River Cellars Winery, Woodhouse Catering located in Covenant Woods, Freckled Flower Farm working with Patrick Henry High School horticulture students, desserts by Hanover Center for Trades and Technology culinary students, Intermission Beer Company, photography by Hanover Communications and Community Engagement staff and audio equipment setup by Hanover General Services. These partners, along with our generous sponsors, made this year’s event a huge success!