By Crystal Garcia
INDIANAPOLIS — Newspapers have been hitting the doorsteps of Terre Haute residents and beyond for more than 100 years, something Gov. Mitch Daniels recognized Wednesday.
The Tribune Star Publishing Co. received a Century Award during the governor’s annual Century and Half Century Business Awards ceremony at the Statehouse.
These awards began in 1990 to honor Indiana businesses that have remained in operation for 100 or 50 years or more and have demonstrated a history of community service. More than 1,150 Hoosier companies have been recognized since their creation.
“To me, you perform the very highest act of community service, the very highest form of corporate citizenship when you make money,” Daniels said at the ceremony.
“That’s what I want you to do first and foremost, I want you to keep making money because when you do, you hire people, you offer hope and new opportunities for those who have come along behind us,” the governor said.
Publisher of the Tribune-Star newspaper, the Tribune Star Publishing Co. began publishing in 1894 and has continued to grow despite changing ownership, company names and printing locations during its 114 years of operation.
Jeremiah Turner, Tribune-Star publisher, accepted the award on the company’s behalf. He said he was honored to accept the award and looked forward to an additional 100 years for the company.
“As significantly as our business has changed over the past 100 years, it will change at least that much if not more in a much shorter time frame,” Turner said. “We’ve got to continue to evolve into more than just a newspaper company, but an information delivery company.”
Businesses were nominated by the Greater Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce.
“I think it’s exciting any time, especially in today’s environment with mergers and acquisitions and consolidations, when you have a company like the Tribune-Star that has been a part of your community for decades,” said Rod Henry, Chamber president, “that says an awful lot about the management, about the philosophy of the company itself and it’s really an honor for us to advance the name this year.”
Three other local businesses were honored for their longevity to providing community service and jobs to the area: C.H. Garmong & Son Inc. for 85 years of service; Ragle & Co. for 51 years of service; and The Meadows shopping center for 52 years. Vermillion County’s M.S.I. Construction Inc. also was honored with a Half Century Award for 51 years of service.
Crystal Garcia can be reached at (812) 231-4271 or crystal.garcia@tribstar.com.
