Feb. 23—Bella Donna Salon and Spa was recently named Painesville City's 2023 John F. Clair Economic Development Award winner, with officials highlighting owner Mary Jo Miller's business and volunteer work for the city.

"She is someone who cares a lot about this community, and her dedication to running a successful business, her vision in leadership and her continued investment in building a better community truly embody the spirit of this award," said Painesville Economic Development Director Susan Crotty at the Feb. 21 City Council meeting.

"I've been in business for 35 years in downtown and love it," Miller said, adding that "it's a great place to do business."

Bella Donna has grown over the years, she said. When Miller started the business, she was renting 900 square feet at the salon's current 150 Main St. location. Now, she owns nearly 5,000 square feet across two buildings, where her business offers various hair, nail and spa services.

"Mary Jo boldly faced the challenges of starting and running her own business at a time when there was not always support for women entrepreneurs," Crotty said. "Some of the reasons for Bella Donna's success over the year's include Mary Jo's sheer hard work, dedication to her salon and clients and an ability and willingness to embrace change. Her keen business sense has also allowed her to remain profitable and competitive during challenging times."

Crotty also highlighted Miller's "investment in the renovation and preservation of a historic building in Downtown Painesville."

Council Vice President Jim Fodor said the award was well-deserved.

"She is a visionary, and she provides extremely strong leadership skills to the people that she works with, as well as the people at the Downtown Painesville Organization and many others," he said, later calling her "a blessing to the community."

According to Crotty, Miller has been a board member for the Painesville and Eastern Lake County chambers of commerce, Auburn Career Center Cosmetology Board, Extended Housing and the Painesville Community Improvement Corporation. She served as a past president for the Downtown Painesville Organization and recently supported the group's Wine and Chocolate Tasting fundraiser.

Crotty added that Miller is "a strong civic leader" who supported the Painesville Police Department's efforts to create a bicycle patrol unit. She also helped plan a Western Reserve Junior Service League event that raised $200,000.

"Although she is a very busy woman, as you can tell, somehow Mary Jo makes time to contribute to many nonprofit organizations in support of the larger Painesville business community," Crotty said, adding that she is "known to promote and endorse her fellow Painesville entrepreneurs to help bolster their success as well."

The award was issued in honor of former city council member John F. Clair, who died in 2001. Crotty described him as "a visionary who was known for setting big goals and accomplishing them."

"His 'never take no for an answer' attitude was especially helpful with business retention and expansion projects in the community," she said. "Mr. Clair fully embraced his adopted city of Painesville, and his leadership, vision and commitment to the city's growth inspired the John F. Clair Economic Development Award."

Clair's wife Jan helped present the award, along with their children Heather and John. Jan said she was "honored to be presenting it on behalf of the family and on behalf of the city of Painesville."

"He loved this city, and Mary Jo, I'm so glad that she is the recipient of tonight's award, because she is a special lady, and she deserves this award," she said.

According to a city news release, the award is given every year to "a local business or organization that demonstrates the value of balancing business with community service, and shows a commitment to the growth of the Painesville community."

Councilman Derrick Abney noted on Feb. 6 that "eight outstanding business organizations" were nominated for the 2023 award. Bella Donna was selected unanimously by the city's Economic Development Committee.