Chamber of Commerce presents annual awards
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The Coosa County Extension Office is awarded Non-profit Business of the Year by the Coosa County Chamber of Commerce during its annual members event. Pictured from left are Extension Coordinator Sharon Haynes, Administrative Assistant Cornelia Tuck and Chamber President Travis Milhan. Photo submitted
Madix of Goodwater is awarded the 2022 Business of the Year award by the Chamber of Commerce. Pictured from left are Joe Chastain, Chamber President Travis Milhan and Mark Cordell. Photo submitted
Rockford Mayor Scott White is recognized with the 2022 Person of the Year award from the Chamber of Commerce. Pictured are Chamber President Travis Milhan, left, and White. Photo submitted
Chamber of Commerce President Travis Milhan recognizes Triple R Cafe of Rockford as the overall winner of the first “Best of Coosa County” award, with residents being able to nominate their favorite Coosa businesses for the award. Photo submitted
The crowd gathered for the Chamber of Commerce’s annual members event hears from guest speaker Robert “Bob” Holmes, retired Air Force brigadier general. Photo submitted
By Christa Jennings
Senior Staff Writer
The Coosa County Chamber of Commerce held its annual members event last Thursday evening, March 17, at Poplar Point Camp in Hanover.
Chamber members who attended the event enjoyed a meal catered by Triple R Cafe, the opportunity to win door prizes, hearing from a guest speaker, seeing the presentation of awards, and having the opportunity to mingle together and make connections.
The highlight of this annual occasion is the chamber awards, with a total of four winners recognized this year in various categories.
The Coosa County Extension Office was awarded with the 2022 Non-profit Business of the Year award. Chamber President Travis Milhan said that the chamber chose that “great” non-profit business “for their sheer love of Coosa County.”
“Sharon [Haynes] and her team never stop working to improve the lives and businesses anytime and anywhere they can,” he added. “The number of services they provide at no cost or low cost is such an incredible blessing.”
County Extension Coordinator Sharon Haynes was touched to receive the award. She recalled the early days in the formation of the Chamber of Commerce, when it first met at the local Extension Office and continued meeting there until securing its own office.
“It’s an honor to be recognized by an organization that once started within your office,” Haynes stated. “Seeing the growth of membership, a facility established, events, and training continually being implemented is phenomenal. Coosa County Extension Office is grateful to be a part of this endeavor and receive the 2022 Nonprofit Award. I strongly encourage all businesses, even home-based businesses, to join the Chamber of Commerce. Stop asking what they can do for me, but what can we do together for a better Coosa County.”
The chamber’s 2022 Business of the Year was awarded to Madix of Goodwater. Milhan explained what made Madix stand out as the chamber’s choice for this year’s winner.
“The company has been a solid rock and foundation for Coosa County for so many years that often people take them for granted,” he stated. “They are continuing to grow and employ more and more locals that we wanted to recognize them for their great support of the chamber and all of Coosa County.”
With its third annual award, the Chamber of Commerce awarded the 2022 Person of the Year to Rockford Mayor Scott White.
“In just two short years under Scott White’s leadership as mayor, the Town of Rockford has really begun to improve its image and facilities,” Milhan said. “Couple this improvement with his work as a real estate agent who is helping improve the outside view of Coosa County, and that is why the chamber chose Mr. White as our Person of the Year.”
Additionally, this year the chamber had a new award to be presented, as well. The Chamber of Commerce had opened up voting for the public and took nominations for local businesses that were deemed the “Best of Coosa County.”
Milhan said that the chamber received more than 81 different entries for businesses around the county that people believed represented the best of Coosa County.
When the counting was completed, Triple R Cafe of Rockford was voted the overall winner of the contest, chosen by the public. As such, the restaurant was recognized as the 2022 Best of Coosa County overall winner, with a banner honoring that recognition.
When voting, individuals also had the option of leaving feedback as to why they voted for which business they did.
Milhan shared that some of the responses given regarding Triple R included comments about “their wonderful food, excellent staff and community involvement that [restaurant owner] Matthew Reams and his teams have done over the years.”
One such example specifically mentioned was how Reams and his team fed so many who were without power in the county after the storms that affected the county almost two years ago, even when Reams had damage to his personal property and was without power at his own home.
Reams was truly appreciative to receive the award and felt honored, while also giving credit where credit is due.
“We are humbled to receive the award,” Reams stated. “I am thankful for the privilege God has granted me to serve Coosa County at the cafe. I am blessed with the best staff anyone could hope for. I am thankful to have a family that has been supportive and willing to sacrifice when needed. Our customers are faithful and supportive, and that has been a key element to our success!”
Also during the event, attendees were able to hear from special guest speaker Robert “Bob” Holmes, retired Air Force brigadier general. A Sylacauga native, Holmes is a leader and senior executive with four decades of experience leading organizations ranging from small elite teams to large complex organizations.
He has a military career in special operations and is a combat veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) and the Global War on Terror. He has had numerous notable assignments over the course of his military career.
He and his wife, Colleen, returned to Sylacauga in 2016, and he is also active in the Sylacauga Chamber of Commerce.
During last Thursday’s event, Holmes spoke to the chamber and its members about what an incredible future Coosa County has ahead because of its natural beauty and opportunities that are coming.
Holmes also spoke about how if they as the leaders in the community ask certain questions of themselves then they will be able to grow and make Coosa County an event better place than it currently is.
For information on the Coosa County Chamber of Commerce or to join, visit the chamber’s website at www.coosachamber.com or follow its Facebook page.
