By MATTHEW LINDSEY

CANTON – The Canton Chamber of Commerce named Canton-Potsdam Hospital as its member of the year and will honor Canton Merchants Association with its recognition award.

The hospital was chosen for the award for their positive impact to the community in 2014, according to Executive Director Sally Hill.

“The award goes to a member who has had a positive influence locally,” she said.

The hospital has remodeled and built an addition to its campus on Main Street which has led to more doctors being added to the hospital staff.

“Bringing more doctors to our community is always a good thing,” Hill said.

The hospital also purchased 270 acres on the north side of U.S. Highway 11.

The land will be used for “the creation of needed medical facilities to accommodate the health system’s rapidly expanding medical staff,” hospital officials said in a prepared statement. “The opportunity to acquire this property presented itself at a time when growth both at the Canton-Potsdam Hospital campus in Potsdam, as well as the medical office complex in Canton, is stretching the physical limits of those facilities,” said David B. Acker, CEO of St. Lawrence Health System.

The new property is centrally located, easily accessible and gives SLHS space to expand existing services and potentially bring new physician specialists to area residents, hospital officials said.

“This addition will have a huge impact on our area,” Hill said.

The Canton Chamber of Commerce Recognition Award is given to a non-chamber business or organization that has improved the community.

“Our first winner was the Garden Club…they have done so much to make downtown beautiful,” Hill said.

The merchants association was chosen because they “came out running this year and accomplished quite a bit,” Hill said.

They have helped the village economy by compiling a list of empty buildings in an attempt to keep businesses here and bring new ones in, Hill said.

“I am only here part time…so to have them here helping the community…its wonderful and I appreciate their help,” she said.

The hospital and merchants association will be honored at the chamber’s annual dinner at Eben Hall on St. Lawrence University’s campus on Feb. 5 at 6 p.m.

“Anyone is welcome to attend…reservations are $38 and includes a buffet dinner and speakers,” Hill said.

Speakers scheduled include St. Lawrence International Film Festival Executive Director Adam Paul will speak as well as village and town officials and members of the college.

There will be an auction and business displays. To purchase tickets, call the chamber at 386-8255.

“It is a great night for networking,” Hill said.