Mika Mills, president of the Greene County Chamber of Commerce, took to the stage last week at Reynolds to recognize Greene County business leaders.
It is a popular yearly event meant to recognize the outstanding achievements of fellow chamber businesses and demonstrate the reach of the chamber into the Greene County business community.
The Greene County Chamber works to attract new members who can then take advantage of the networking and ribbon-cutting events throughout the year.
According to Mills, more than 36 new businesses have been added to its roster this year. It serves to reinforce and support many local individual businesses that support the community.
Featured speaker Lt. Governor Burt Jones gave attendees a legislative update in the state. According to Jones, there are several key business efforts underway in the state.
“I have watched Greene County grow, and with that, bring on several new businesses to the area,” Jones said. “Greene County has a good school system in place with many changes, and there is good access to health care. I find there is always good coordination here among the business community with state and county elected officials. This county is important to me.”
Jones went on to say that Georgia is the best place for conducting business in the country. He lauded college and career academies as supporting initiatives to grow skill-based training. On a state level, Georgia passed a strict law to get tough on crime, which supports local businesses. Additionally, good college training complements efforts and encourages working within their academic setting.
The event concluded with the awards ceremony featuring five categories: The Heartbeat Award, which recognizes businesses and organizations that operate out of the goodness of their heart; The Innovation Award, which recognizes those businesses that go beyond their business model doing things for the community; The Unsung Hero, which recognizes the business and individuals who work behind the scenes at events and charities; and The Rookie of the Year award, which recognizes those new business that have come to the area and volunteer personal time and funds to local charities and community events; and the Mickey Channel Citizen of the Year.
The winners were:
• HeartbeatAward: Greensboro Tire – Gary and Wayne Usry
• InnovationAward: Ride Oconee – Laurel Schwelt
• UnsungHero: Bulldog Marine – Laura Dent
• RookieoftheYear: Dough Daddy Dough – John and Sandy Padjen
• MickeyChannelCitizen of the Year: Oconee Radio Group – Chip Lyness