ZELIENOPLE — The Strand Theater today was awarded the Butler County Chamber of Commerce's annual Community Champion Award.

Ron Carter, president and executive director of the Strand Theater Initiative, received the award at a luncheon at noon today.

The award is bestowed upon local organizations that make an impact on the community.

The theater on Main Street in Zelienople opened in 1914 and closed 25 years ago.

Since 2001, Carter has headed up fundraising and construction in an effort to reopen the theater, which occurred last summer.