MARTINSVILLE– Tommy Harris received the Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce’s Chairman’s Award, and Angeline Godwin was awarded the Chamber’s Partnership for Economic Growth’s (C-PEG) Fred Herring Award.
The awards were announced Tuesday night at the chamber and C-PEG’s annual meeting and leadership recognition dinner.
Jason Davis, immediate past chairman of the chamber, presented the Chairman’s Award, describing Harris not only as “a champion for the chamber but also a community champion and family champion.”
Davis praised Harris’ dedication to and love for his family, and his dedication to his church, First Baptist Church of Collinsville, where he has served from deacon to Sunday school teacher.
“Secondly, he is a community champion, serving on many boards and committees for years and years,” Davis said.
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“Starting with the Jaycees – which he s now an Exhausted Rooster of, he has pulled weeds around Lake Lanier and has been known to feed swans when they were stuck in the ice,” Davis added. “He is a member of the Martinsville Speedway 500 Club, helping to make all guests at the track to feel at home; and he is a past president of the YMCA, where they even named a building after him.”
According to online information, “Exhausted Rooster” refers to a Jaycee who is past the age of 35. Some Exhausted Roosters remain available to assist their organization.
“Tommy Harris has made himself unselfishly available to chamber members and staff,” Davis said. “He takes time to visit with members even on the weekends to see how they are doing and what they need from the chamber.”
Honoring Godwin
John Parkinson, president of the C-PEG board of directors, announced Angeline Godwin on Tuesday as the recipient of the Fred Herring Award. Godwin, president of Patrick Henry Community College, was unable to attend because she was representing Martinsville-Henry County and PHCC at a national forum in Asheville, North Carolina.
The Fred Herring Award, C-PEG’s highest honor, is given in memory of Fred Herring, “who dedicated his professional life to the betterment of this community” and “who was a pioneer in shaping the C-PEG that we know today,” according to Parkinson.
He said of Godwin: “Since she arrived in our community almost six years ago, (Godwin) has been an engaged dynamic leader, hitting the ground running full speed. She has a reputation of being innovative, tenacious and a true motivator. I have also come to know that she will tell it to you straight.”
Parkinson praised Godwin for leading Startup Martinsville’s boot camps for startup ventures and growing businesses.
“Additionally, she has provided continued mentoring for the entrepreneurs who participated in the boot camps and personally supports these local businesses whenever possible,” Parkinson added. “Entrepreneurs who have encountered her realistic and timely guidance share the same feedback – ‘she is awesome!’ She has shepherded over 100 entrepreneurs through the startup process through this partnership with C-PEG.”
Giving an update
In addition to presenting the Fred Herring Award, Parkinson gave an update on the success of some of the programs C-PEG has been involved with.
The Small Business Incubator currently is at 94 percent occupancy, with 18 onsite tenants and three virtual tenants.
C-PEG also gave more than $29,000 to seven businesses through the Startup Martinsville-Henry County program this year.
Since the inception of this initiative, C-PEG has awarded more than $160,000 with its partners, the city of Martinsville, Henry County, the George W. Lester II Fund through the Martinsville Area Community Foundation.
“In addition to the eight-week Startup entrepreneurial boot camp, we added a four-week Grow boot camp,” Parkinson added. “Between the two programs, we had 23 individuals complete all sessions and compete during our business plan and business pitch night competition.”
As an example, Parkinson said that last year’s seven businesses have already created 78 new jobs in the area and have capital investments of more than $780,000.
In addition, Parkinson said, “In August 2017, we entered into a four-year retail development agreement with Retail Strategies. They have been working collaboratively with our C-PEG staff, commercial brokers and property owners to increase our retail and restaurant offerings.”
He noted that Retail Strategies has conducted a huge amount of research and provided C-PEG, commercial brokers and property owners with valuable data regarding retail and restaurant opportunities and demographics.
Retail Strategies also has developed promotional materials, represented this community at multiple trade shows, and has made contacts with more than 35 retailers and restaurants, looking to recruit some to this area.
A look back
Davis also outlined some of the chamber’s accomplishments this year.
In March, Fast Track, the annual trade show organized by the chamber, was sold out, bringing more than 6,000 people out over the two nights to see what chamber members have to offer.
The chamber also held legislative forums and published its fifth community magazine, “Discover MHC.”
Through the chamber’s efforts, Davis told the crowd, “our business services manager, Robbie Knight, has connected [local businesses with over $180,000 in leveraged training dollars.”
“We have expanded this partnership to involve new programs to bring creative funding solutions to our employers and are very proud of this collaboration and the work we are able to do together,” he added.
Chamber Champions
Davis also recognized Chamber Champions, who sign up at the beginning of the year to sponsor every event the chamber holds.
That list includes Eastman, AmeriStaff, Appalachian Power, Blue Ridge Bank, Jobs.Martinsville.com, The Lester Group, Martinsville Area Community Foundation, Martinsville Speedway, Mountain Valley Hospice & Palliative Care, The Results Companies, S&K Office Products, Smith River Sports Complex, Snyder Orthodontics, Sovah Health-Martinsville, Southwestern Virginia Gas, Virginia Museum of Natural History and West Piedmont Business Development Center.
Approximately 220 people attended the event, which was at Chatmoss Country Club.
Paul Collins reports for the Martinsville Bulletin. He can be reached at paul.collins@martinsvillebulletin.com