Three Top San Bernardino Businesses Honored

San Bernardino's Ardent Mills, Inland Center Mall and the San Bernardino County Sun newspaper were recognized as leaders in their community by State Sen. Mike Morrell Nov. 21 at the University of Redlands during the 4th Annual Top Chamber Business Awards. All members of the San Bernardino Area Chamber of Commerce, the companies were three of 50 total recognized last week at the annual event throughout California's 23rd Senate District. The event started four years ago when Morrell was the California State Assembly, District 40 representative and Morrell and his office wanted to recognize the contributions of local businesses. "I was in business all of my adult life, so it's always good to be amongst our own and have people that actually make this state thrive," Morrell said in his welcome speech, where he gave a brief background of business taxes and job creation in the state. "Business owners are the ones that make the economy go, and we have to expand business so we can hire people and we are committed to that. This is one of things we do to get this on the radar and promote business." After an invocation was given by Lynne Kennedy, Rancho Cucamonga councilwoman-elect, and the Pledge of Allegiance given by Menifee City Mayor Scott Mann, guests mingled with Sen. Morrell and enjoyed a catered lunch. San Bernardino Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Judi Penman introduced the three business nominees while San Bernardino City Mayor Carey Davis was also present on stage to honor the nominees. Plant Manager Nelson Selmer received the award for Ardent Mills. A San Bernardino Area Chamber member for 25 years, Ardent Mills is "a premier flour milling and ingredient supplier for the baking industry in America," Penman said. "This multi-national corporation has been located in San Bernardino for many years, but unlike many multi-nationals with corporate offices in other states or countries, which may see their loyalties centered in other jurisdictions, has not turned its back on its host community. Rather, it has embraced San Bernardino as a friend, neighbor and good corporate citizen." Jim Moyer, general manager and vice president of advertising, accepted the award for the San Bernardino County Sun newspaper, colloquially called The Sun. Celebrating 125 years of service, the newspaper has been a member of the San Bernardino Area Chamber for 93 years. "After leaving their huge plant in the north end of San Bernardino, Editor Frank Pine... phoned to assure me that they were not going to desert San Bernardino and were seriously planning on keeping a presence in downtown, which in fact they did, moving into Vanir Towers across the street from their original building," Penman said. The newspaper sponsors Media Day, provides educational tours of the newsroom, and staff members speak at career day events, among other community contributions, Penman explained. The third nominee from San Bernardino was the Inland Center Mall, with Senior Property Manager Arun Parmar and Senior Marketing Manager Terri Relf accepting the award. "Despite all of the proliferation of retail outfits in the west valley, San Bernardino still remains a major retail destination in the east valley, generating millions of dollars for San Bernardino," Penman told the crowd. "For most in this mix is the Inland Regional Center Mall." The mall boasts major anchors Macy's, Sears and Forever 21, with over 100 other stores, contributing to the community and the economy, shared Penman. For this reason, the San Bernardino Area Chamber named Inland Center Mall its Top Business of 2014.