Awards presented last night at the annual dinner for the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce highlight the prominence of nonprofits in the Vermont economy and business community. Winners of the five annual Chamber awards were: REM Development (Business of the Year - Large) , Freeman French Freeman Architects (Business of The Year - Small), Union Street Media (A. Wayne Roberts Entrepreneurial Spirit Award), Marilyn Cormier of St. Michael's College (Community Excellence Award) and Lauren Curry of The Richard E. & Deborah L. Tarrant Foundation (Rising Star Award). I am especially pleased that this list includes at least two people with whom I am familiar through the Chamber's Leadership Champlain program, Marilyn Cormier and Jonathan Adler of Union Street Media. In his opening remarks, the incoming Chamber President, Don Rendall of Green Mountain Power, said that a "strong backbone of diverse enterprises" is a hallmark of Vermont's economy.  The use of the word "enterprises" is particularly appropriate because it encompasses not only business but also nonprofit organizations.  Kudos to all of the award winners, and to the Chamber for recognizing the contribution of nonprofits to our business community.