HIA-LI Doles Out Biz Awards

The Hauppauge Industrial Association recognized several Hauppauge businesses at its 16th Annual Business Awards competition at Crest Hollow Country Club on Sept. 14.

The local organization, which in many ways acts as the chamber of commerce for businesses in the Hauppauge Industrial Park, handed out its large business award to the Tiffen Company, a 70-year old manufacturer and distributor of accessories for the photography, motion picture and broadcast markets.

The HIA-LI gave its small business award to Irwin Contracting, a family-owned construction company that got its start in home improvements before expanding into commercial and industrial building in the Hauppauge Industrial Park.

Irwin Contracting's current projects involve the Hauppauge High School and Middle School renovations.

Long Island Cares -– The Harry Chapin Food Bank picked up the award for nonprofit organization, and Executive Director Paul Pachter said the food bank is dealing with increased demand for services given the enduring economic recession. Pachter said they have answered by creating new services such as the mobile food pantries.

"Harry's goal was to touch the hungry to improve their lives," he said. " In the past three month, we have directly touched the lives of over 4,000 people. We have exceeded Harry's vision and he would be proud of the recognition we are receiving here today."

The law firm of Campolo, Middleton & McCormick picked up the rookie of the year award for its focus on client service and mentoring programs.

HIA-LI  handed out an honorary awards for innovation to Brookhaven Science Associates/Brookhaven National Labs for its small business program. The program has given out more than $55 million in grants to small businesses across Nassau and Suffolk counties in 2009, and has handed out an additional $104 million thus far in 2010.

Over 400 businessmen and government officials attended the event.