Chamber hosts awards night celebration

The Greater Franklin County Area Chamber of Commerce hosted their annual Chamber Appreciate Night on Thursday, February 3 at the Windsor Theatre.

In a change from their traditional chamber dinner, the chamber instead invited members to enjoy a variety of finger foods and desserts provided by the H-D/CAL Bulldog Café.

After a bit of socialization, the guests enjoyed a performance from the H-D Speech team, doubling as extra practice before their state contest.

Then it was on to the main event as Chamber President Frankie Aliu thanked all of the businesses, ambassadors, and volunteers that contributed to the chamber's various activities. Special recognition was also given to dozens of chamber members celebrating milestone anniversaries along with six new members to the group.

"Without them, it wouldn't be possible," said Aliu. "It's pretty awesome to see all the businesses that have supported us over the years."

New members include God Fuel, Team Concrete, All About Travel, Hanson & Sons Tire and Auto, First Grace Baptist Church, and Indigo Wind.

Recognized for this year's Leadership Award were Jeff and Tracy Spear of J-T Machine and Tool for continuing to put on the annual Hampton Car Show.

"We're proud to have people like this that step up and help the community in different ways," said Chamber Director Newton Grotzinger.

Jeff has volunteered with the car show for 30 years and currently serves as the chairperson of the event and Tracy has worked with her husband for the last 12 years with organization and promotion. They will be representing Hampton later this year during the Main Street awards.

The Spears themselves passed credit for the continued success of the show along to the many volunteers that work to put it on.

"Without them and their support there would be no car show," said Jeff Spears.

Finally, the chamber recognized Franklin Rural Electric Cooperative as this year's Business of the Year for their work on putting on the first annual "Light Up The Night" event. The holiday parade and light display at Band Shell Park brought the community together in a spectacular fashion and the company is already looking forward to continuing the event this year.

"We want to continue to grow in order to be bigger and better next year," said General Manager Garrett Thompson.