The Kopczynski family business traces its roots to a modest investment of $900 made back in 1945.

Since then, the North Tonawanda manufacturing company, now known as Ascension Industries, Inc., has blossomed to the point where it employs 120 people and has realized a growth in sales of 200 percent during the past four years.

During Wednesday’s Niagara Small Business Day award ceremony held at the Niagara Falls Country Club in Lewiston, current company president Jack Kopczynski credited the firm’s success to the ambition of his father, John Sr., the dedication of his staff and the years of generous support his company has received from the county’s various public agencies and business groups.

“You do not have to be alone when you are in business in Niagara County,” said Jack, whose family business business received the Apex Award, a mark of professional excellence presented annually by the Niagara County Community College Small Business Development Center.

More than 200 local business leaders were on hand Wednesday to celebrate the success of Ascension Industries, Inc. and 26 other small businesses, entrepreneurs and community organizations that have managed to buck popular opinion about the local economy and prove that people can indeed turn a profit in our region.

“I know some people say we are in a depressed area, but I don’t find it that way,” said Charlene Seekins-Smith, the long-time insurance broker and manager of the Bewley Building in Lockport who was honored with the Lockport Business Association’s Small Business Person Award. “I think it’s a good place to be. I think it’s a good place to live and a good place to do business.”

Lewiston residents Allesandro and Karen Renzi agreed.

The Lewiston Porter High School graduates spent three years building their marketing communications firm located in Salem, Mass.

In 2005, the couple decided to move closer to home where they were told by at least one investor that their business would never survive in the region’s depressed economy.

This year, the Renzi’s company, Beyondus, Inc., continues to thrive and grow, providing services to companies throughout Western New York and as far away as Europe and Australia.

“There is a much more of a sense of community here than there was in Salem,” said Alesandro, whose company received this year’s Rising Star award, an honor handed out each year by the Niagara USA Chamber to a company that has less than 10 years in the area, but has demonstrated tremendous long-term potential.

“It’s easy for any business to feel like the rising star with this community behind it,” Alesandro said.





Niagara Small Business Day award winners:

n NCCC APEX: Ascension Industries, North Tonawanda

n NIAGARA USA RISING STAR: Beyondus

n FASHION OUTLETS SMALL BUSINESS PERSON: Rose Rivers, general manager Geoffrey Beene

n FASHION OUTLETS BUSINESS: Ultra Diamonds Outlet

n LASALLE SMALL BUSINESS PERSON: John Gross

n LASALLE BUSINESS: Niagara Falls Bridge Commission

n LEWISTON BUSINESS: The Orange Cat Coffee Company

n LOCKPORT SMALL BUSINESS: Charlene Seekins-Smith, manager, Bewley Building

n LOCKPORT BUSINESS: Cornerstone Community Federal Credit Union

n NIAGARA FALLS SMALL BUSINESS PERSON: Paulette Shine, banker, M & T Bank

n NIAGARA FALLS BUSINESS: Maid of the Mist

n NEWFANE BUSINESS PERSON: Sue Neidlinger, owner, Shoppe on Main

n NEWFANE BUSINESS: Wilson’s Pizza shop, owners Al and Wendy Wilson

n NIAGARA STREET BUSINESS PERSON: Kirk Parry, Kirk’s Performance Automobile

n NIAGARA STREET BUSINESS: David Gross Contracting Corp.

n OLCOTT BEACH SMALL BUSINESS PERSON: David Hedley, owner, Hedley’s Custom Construction

n OLCOTT BEACH COMMUNITY: Olcott Fire Co.

n PINE AVENUE SMALL BUSINESS PERSON: Michael Capizzi, Jr., owner, Michael’s Restaurant

n PINE AVENUE BUSINESS: Sevenson Environmental Services

n RANSOMVILLE BUSINESS: J.F. Machining

n SANBORN BUSINESS: Mill Marketplace

n SUMMIT SMALL BUSINESS PERSON: Debra Reed, store manager, Summit Park Pharmacy

n SUMMIT BUSINESS: The Athlete’s Foot

n TOWN OF NIAGARA SMALL BUSINESS PERSON: Patrick Brown

n TOWN OF NIAGARA BUSINESS: Judi’s Lounge

n WHATFIELD SMALL BUSINESS PERSON: Robert Heisner, Project Future of Western New York

n YOUNGSTOWN BUSINESS: Victoria's Family Haircare