UTICA, N.Y. -- More than 500 people are celebrating progress in the Mohawk Valley and honoring those who made it happen.

Mohawk Valley EDGE hosted their 17th Annual Leading EDGE Awards at SUNY Polytechnic Institute in Utica on Tuesday.

Olympian Erin Hamlin gave the keynote address.

The awards recognize companies and people expanding the region’s economy through investment and job growth.

Students were also invited.

"We have students here from the PTech Program. We have students here from Young Scholars. So they're able to meet, connect with businesses and individuals so that they can then grow. It's bringing all those people together at these common events that I think is really powerful," said Mohawk Valley EDGE Business Development Vice President Jennifer Waters.

Four companies and two individuals were honored.

The four companies including Assured Information Security, Masonic Medical Research Institute, Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees, and Sherrill Manufacturing.

Francis Behlmer and Howard Mettelman were also recognized.