Above: Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year winners. From left: Rising Stars – Janzens Greenhouse, Austin Phillip, Anna Mandahl. Big Business – Sterling Pharmacy, Trudy Wood. Nonprofit – Chuck Mixon, Martin County Toys for Toddlers. Small Business – Bowlmore Lanes, Thao Doi, Doug Pederson.
FAIRMONT – About 100 people attended the Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce's annual banquet Friday night. The event was held at the Best Western in Fairmont.
The banquet serves as an opportunity to recognize all that the Chamber has done over the past year and to thank the members who support and benefit from its work. Traditionally, different categories of companies are also honored during the banquet.
Chamber President Kandi Menne took the time to thank the 12 directors and four executive directors who serve the chamber. She also thanked Chamber staff members Sydney Andrews and Rachel Manwallen for their hard work throughout the year.
On Friday, Menne briefly explained the new tiered dues system the Chamber introduced last year. She also talked about the membership incentive program. Board Chair Aaron Speltz reviewed the chamber's various committees and the programs they implement or support.
After the food was served, Chamber members were entertained by comedian-magician Jerry Fraser, who mingled with several audience members.
At the end of the event, chamber businesses in four different categories were recognized.
This year's big companies included Sterling Pharmacy, ADS, Profinium, UHD, and more. Nominated for this year's Small Business Award were Bowlmore Lanes, Culligan Water, Dees Floral and Design and Fairmont Roofing.
This year's new business nominees include Canna Culture, Janzen's Greenhouse and Southern Minnesota Skin Solutions. This year's nonprofit nominees were Goldfinch Estates, MCSAP, Martin County Toys for Tots, and Fairmont Lakes Foundation.
This year's winners include Sterling Pharmacy, Bowlmore Lanes, Janzen's Greenhouse and Martin County Toys for Tots.
Sponsors of the annual banquet were Bank Midwest, Dee's Floral and Designs, HyVee, Nextera Energy, UHD, and Best Western.
