Keystone Chapter, Associated Builders & Contractors Inc. (ABC) — ABC Keystone presented Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett with its first annual “Spirit of Free Enterprise” award on Nov. 17th, at the Holiday Inn Harrisburg East.

Each year, ABC will honor a public servant or community member whose actions support open competition in the construction marketplace, which is the cornerstone upon which ABC was built.

A life-long Pennsylvania resident, Corbett has a long and distinguished career serving the citizens of the Commonwealth, making a significant impact on the lives of Pennsylvanians through his work. In his first six months as governor, Corbett passed an on-time budget for the first time in nine years. Corbett closed a $4.2 billion deficit by controlling state spending while not raising taxes on Pennsylvanians. Also, Corbett passed historic tort reform that safeguarded Pennsylvania’s small businesses and signed property tax reform that put spending control back in the hands of Pennsylvania’s taxpayers.

“Governor Corbett is the embodiment of the concept of free enterprise and the Merit Shop philosophy, representing our community with strength, integrity, and the high ideals we seek in a leader to move Pennsylvania forward towards a prosperous future,” said John “Jack” R. Zimmer, ABC Keystone president and CEO.

“His actions to protect small businesses in the Commonwealth and safeguard taxpayer money speak volumes about his belief in the equal opportunities fostered by fair and open competition. This makes him the ideal recipient for our ’Spirit of Free Enterprise’ Award.”

A trophy was presented to Corbett by Cliff M. Wilson of Benchmark Construction Co. Inc., who also is the 2012 ABC Keystone chairman of the board.

For more information, visit www.abcKeystone.org.

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