Local businesses were celebrated for their contributions to the community during Small Business Week.
The SBA Eastern Pennsylvania District Office has honored Unleashed Counseling and AEONRG for their contributions to the community during the 2025 Small Business Week. Unleashed Counseling was named Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year, while AEONRG received the title of Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year. The awards highlight the importance of supporting local enterprises. Additionally, the Pottsgrove School Board paid tribute to the late Charles Nippert for his dedication to education and community service.
Pennsylvania
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Eastern Pennsylvania District Office has recently recognized two local businesses as award winners for the 2025 Small Business Week. Unleashed Counseling, located in Lower Pottsgrove Township, Montgomery County, received the title of Eastern Pennsylvania Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year. AEONRG, based in Uwchlan Township, Chester County, was honored as the Eastern Pennsylvania Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year. The announcements came in April, ahead of the nationally recognized Small Business Week.
Both businesses were celebrated for their significant contributions to their respective communities. Unleashed Counseling has gained recognition for its commitment to providing mental health services, and AEONRG is noted for its dedication to serving veterans through various initiatives. The awards highlight the importance of supporting local enterprises which contribute to economic growth and community development.
In a separate event, the Pottsgrove School Board paid tribute to longtime member Charles Nippert, who passed away at the age of 78 at Reading Hospital. Nippert, who had served on the board since his election in 2017, was in the process of seeking a third term, with his name still appearing on the May 20 primary ballot. His contributions to the school board were recognized by his fellow members during a recent meeting following his death.
During the tribute, the board president acknowledged that Nippert’s absence will be felt deeply, and fellow members remembered him as a wonderful man, a friend, and a leader within the community. Throughout his tenure, Nippert served in various leadership roles, including chairman of the operations and finance committee. His dedication to education and community service left a lasting mark on the school system.
Charles Nippert was not only a dedicated school board member but also a renowned educator and professor of chemical engineering at Widener University. Over the years, he earned a reputation as a lifelong learner with a passion for fair funding for schools in Pennsylvania. Outside of his professional achievements, he enjoyed a rich personal life, characterized by a deep love of music, particularly the sounds of Grateful Dead and Led Zeppelin, as well as an enthusiasm for trains.
Nippert was married to Carolyn Cochrane Nippert for 52 years and was a proud father of four, grandfather, and great-grandfather. His commitment to the community extended beyond education; he was active in various organizations including the Stichter Masonic Lodge and the Lower Pottsgrove Historical Society. A viewing for Nippert is scheduled for Friday from 5 to 6 p.m. at Dengler-Sowers Funeral Home and Crematory in Birdsboro, with a funeral service planned for Saturday, May 17, from 9:30 to 10:30 at St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church in Douglassville, followed by a celebratory luncheon.
The school board concluded its tribute with a reading of a poem by Joyce Kilmer, reflecting on the value of life and its journeys. The gatherings to honor both the businesses and Charles Nippert underscore the significance of community recognition and remembrance, illustrating the profound impact that individuals and organizations have on the local landscape in Pennsylvania.
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