The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce held its 68th Annual Chamber Banquet Thursday evening on the Campus of Gadsden State Community College with more than 200 in attendance.
During the business section of the program, Chairman Wae Ellis recognized the Chamber Staff for their dedication, enthusiasm, and hard work during the year. Ellis told the membership, you are getting a very good return on your investment. The Chamber operates with a $180,000 annual budget and according to the State Tourism Department, more than $17 million dollars in tourism dollars are generated in Cherokee County annually with 209 local jobs created. The Staff includes the Executive Director, Thereasa Hulgan, Barbara Cochran, and Joy Perry.
During the awards ceremonies Executive Director Hulgan announced a new award would be presented. It was named the W.A. “Dub” Ellis Community Leadership Award to Honor its name sake Mr. Dub Ellis who passed away recently. Mr. Ellis was a strong community leader and business owner who effective in getting things done for the county. Some of the projects he was involved in included the Airport, the renovation of the Centre Elementary School, 4-laning of the Armory Road adjacent to the Elementary School, just to name a few. He also served on many boards and committees and was instrumental in the development and operation of the Cherokee County Water Authority. The first recipient of the special award was Sue Guffey of Centre who works with the National Alliance for Mental Illness. Other awards went to the Centre First United Methodist Church of Centre with the Beautification Award, The Mary George Waite Spirit Award to Lanny Starr, Chairman’s Merit Award to Wallace Lyons and the local media outlets were recognized with a Media Award. Scott Wright representing the Post Paper, Terry Dean with the Cherokee County Herald, Ann Shumaker with the Gadsden Times, and Jerry Baker with WEIS Radio and News Site.
Entertainment for the evening was the Three on A String Band.
The Gavel for the upcoming year was then passed from Chairman Ellis to incoming Chairman, Mickie Kerr.
