Citizen of Year, Business and Beautification Nov. 17
OCEAN CITY – The Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce is honored to announce the recipient of the Chamber’s 2021 Citizen of the Year Award and Outstanding Business and Beautification Awards. The awards will be presented at the Chamber’s dinner Wednesday, Nov. 17 at The Flanders Hotel.
This year, the Citizen of the Year Award will be presented to Assemblyman Antwan McClellan who was sworn into the New Jersey General Assembly in January 2020. He serves on Assembly Appropriations, Homeland Security and State Preparedness, Tourism, Gaming and the Arts Committees.
The Assemblyman is a member of the New Jersey Legislative Black Caucus where he has spearheaded the New Jersey Black Heritage Trail. He has worked to bring South Jersey together by creating Cumberland-Cape United which is a group of Pastors and Community Leaders dedicated to encouraging and guiding our children. Additionally, he spearheaded the “Take Your Best Shot” program which is helping Black Americans get vaccinated through church community groups.
He currently serves as the confidential assistant, personnel director, and public information officer in the Cape May County Sheriff’s Department. In this role, he has dedicated his time to ensuring the families of Cape May County are safe and protected. Advocating for working with the Sheriff’s Association, Chiefs Association and Prosecutor’s Office, McClellan has formed a task force to discuss the efficiencies needed in Civil Service and how to increase minority communities participating in the Civil Service tests.
Prior to being elected as an assemblyman, McClellan served on Ocean City Council, Ocean City school board, a volunteer basketball coach and coach for the Field of Dreams program in South Jersey.
McClellan has been proud to serve the residents of the First Legislative District and looks forward to continuing to represent South Jersey.
The following businesses will also be receiving awards at the dinner:
The Business Renovation/Improvement Award, an award that is granted to a business that has taken an existing building and made physical and internal renovations to significantly improve its condition, will be presented to Deauville Inn, Fortress Financial, Goji, Halliday Architects, Hooked on Breakfast, Jilly’s Downtown, Lenegan’s Plumbing & Heating, P. Francis, Peace of Wood, Shriver’s Downtown, and Spotted Whale.
Heist Insurance Agency will be awarded the Outstanding Landscaping/Signage Award for their new signage.
Dorothy Phillips, Julie’s Headquarters, Keller Williams, and Pedego Electric Bikes will receive the Business New Construction Award.
The Outstanding New Business Award will be presented to Churn House, Enchanted Boutique, Mangos and More, Payton Jewelry, Sand House Kitchen, Showstoppers Plus, and Sweetheart Coast.
This year’s Outstanding Civic, Community, Non-Profit Organization Award will be presented to Speitel Commons, Ocean City Housing Authority with assistance from the City of Ocean City.
Nick Bricker will receive the Outstanding Use of Technology Award for raising more than $150,000 for local businesses during the pandemic using social media.
The Outstanding Service to the Community Award will be presented to Mikenzie Helphenstine and also Heart of Surfing.
Special recognition awards will be presented Berger Realty for their 100th Anniversary, Skip Tolomeo for his years of service at Sea Oats, and Paul Landi for his years of service at Beach House Grill.
For dinner reservations, $55 per person, or to congratulate the winners in the 2021 Program Book, please call the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce office at (609) 399-1412 or email info@oceancitychamber.com.