HAMLET — Several local businesses were honored Thursday during the Richmond County Chamber of Commerce’s annual meeting in the lobby of Cole Auditorium.
“We appreciate the collaboration and support of our investors and the community as a whole,” said Chamber President Kristi King during her opening remarks. “This evening is for networking with other businesses, promoting the Chamber and members it represents, but also to have a good time.”
The Chamber’s Volunteer of the Year Award went to the team from Richmond County Hospice.
“The recipients of this award are some of the hardest-working individuals in Richmond County,” King said. “You see them everywhere and always, always with a smile.”
The Hospice crew, King said, “are the main heartbeat of the Chamber.”
“They show up — period — no matter the event, from ribbon cuttings to main events like tonight, they are there for the Chamber and everybody in this room,” King said. “They always respond to anything we send out with a ‘I’ll be there’ or ‘What can I do to help?’
“We could not do it without them and are thankful we don’t have to.”
The next two awards were presented by Jeanine Hanson, plant office administrator for Vulcan Materials.
The Award of Excellence went to Supreme Filter Service.
“If the need arises, Kenny (Smith) and his team are the first to jump in and say, ‘How can I help you,’” Hanson said. “And it’s not just Kenny. He has an excellent team that continues to not only work hard, but they understand what community service is all about. You could not ask for better people to be a part of your organization or to be of service to the citizens of Richmond County.
“Kenny Smith and Supreme Filter Service continue to invest in not only the Chamber of Commerce … but the local community, in any way possible.”
The final honor presented was the Sheriff James E. Clemmons Jr. Distinguished Leader Award, which went to Amazon Web Services.
Last year, AWS announced plans to invest $10 billion for a 20-building data center campus south of Hamlet — the largest capital investment in state history.
“This project will transform this rural community, bringing high-tech infrastructure and economic growth,” Hanson said.
In addition to the general investment of the campus, the company created the Amazon Richmond County Community Fund — starting out at $150,000 — to offer grants to community groups, nonprofits and educational institutions.
Amazon is also helping the Hamlet Fire Department build a substation.
“In less than a year, they have made their mark on Richmond County,and we are pleased to have this home for them,” Hanson said. “We know their commitment to excellence and community engagement will only continue to offer new opportunities for our county.”
The award was accepted by Jordan Tate, economic development manager for Amazon Web Services.
Prior to presenting the awards, King introduced Lindsey Arthur, the new director of membership and marketing for the Chamber, and Trent Deane, a business intern from Richmond Senior High School.
The event was catered by The Grille, and sponsored by DR Pharmacy, Pee Dee Electric, Hawks Builders and Vulcan Materials.
