SLIPPERY ROCK — The 2019 Celebrate Business dinner will recognize Butler County business leaders on Tuesday.

The Butler County Chamber of Commerce will host the invite-only event at Slippery Rock University's Robert M. Smith Student Center.

In addition to recognizing business leaders who have made contributions to their community, the event also serves as the graduation for the 2018-19 Class of the Leadership Butler County.

Tom Taylor, owner of Fairground Market Catering, will be honored as the William A. Morgan Jr. Entrepreneur of the Year 2019.

The award is presented annually to an outstanding local business owner who is recommended by the chamber's Past Presidents Advisory Council and past award recipients.

“I was shocked,” Taylor said. “I feel very proud.”

Taylor has been in business for 37 years, and it's a family business which he co-owns with his son, Brian Taylor.

An employer of about 20 people, Fairground Market caters between 100 and 200 weddings per year. The company also caters benefits and charities.

“We try to give the No. 1 service to our customers,” Taylor said. “We care about what we do.”

Taylor said he is thankful to the chamber for honoring him with the award, but he is also thankful to his customers, who keep bread on his table and inspire him to continue giving them his best.

“It makes me proud to be chosen to do their catering,” Taylor said. “It's a great honor.”

The Butler County commissioners will receive the second award, the Business Champion Award, on behalf of the county.

Commissioner Leslie Osche said it is an honor for the county to receive the award that has in the past been given to individual businesses.

“The county has invested in the Butler County Growth Collaborative,” Osche said.

She said the county has cooperation and support of organizations like the Butler County Community Development Corporation, Butler County Tourism Bureau and the Butler County Chamber of Commerce, among others.

Osche said the award is also a testament to the directors and county employees who have worked hard to grow the county's economy and infrastructure. She said the commissioners have invited many of these people to attend Tuesday's dinner.

“The county team understands that the quality of life for those that live here and those that might live here is extremely important. They're the ones at the helm of that,” Osche said. “It's really about us investing in people, and we believe in investing in people.”