By Niyah Martin, Intern
Millbrook, Ala. – The Millbrook Area Chamber of Commerce, also known as the MACC, honored small businesses from across the city on last Thursday morning. Despite the severe weather, an excitable crowd gathered at the Alabama NaturePlex in Millbrook to celebrate the success of local businesses. During the event, guests mingled amongst each other and dined on delicious food served by the students of the Elmore County Technical Center.
In a 30-minute-long ceremony, small Millbrook businesses were recognized, applauded, and awarded. The categories of participants consisted of Emerging Small Business (one to five years in business), Small Business (one to 10 employees), Medium Business (11-50 employees) and Large Business (51 or more employees). Each category was presented by the winners of the previous year.
Out of numerous contestants, Legacy Seafood was named the Emerging Small Business award winner and Pest Pro Services claimed the Small Business award. Ingram’s Farmers Market won the entire Medium Business category and Central Alabama Electric Cooperative triumphed in the Large Business category.
Amongst the celebration, a new chair president was named in an endearing gavel-passing ceremony. The Millbrook Area Chamber of Commerce officially named MaRjorie Bowden with the 2023-2024 Chair position. In a touching moment, Bowden was presented with the gavel by 2022-2023 Chair, D.J Taylor.
Taylor is grateful for the time he has served as Chair on the MACC Board but recognized that his time on the board has come to an end.
Taylor says, “This is a very bittersweet day to be passing this over and making this decision. It has been nothing but amazing to have been apart of this chamber, this community, and this city. There is no one better to give this to, than MaRjorie Bowden.”
Bowden is proud of the work that the Millbrook Area Chamber of Commerce has done for the community and plans to continue to provide small businesses in Millbrook with outstanding service.
Bowden says, “I feel honored to be able to serve on the Millbrook Area of Commerce. Our board is made of fantastic business owners, and we are here to connect business and community. I am a servant and I want to connect with businesses within Millbrook, serve businesses in Millbrook and watch Millbrook grow!”
The 2023-2024 Board of Directors of the MACC was also announced. Steve Mullis of Live Oak Agency as Vice Chair, Jamie Brown of MAX Credit Union as Treasurer and Penny Nichols of Advanced Appraisal Services as Immediate Past Chair. Board members include Cindy Browder, Don Duncan, Harvey Starling, Ann Harper, Letitia “RJ” Ruffin-Johnson, and Jamal Thomas. New members include Kristy Andreadakis, Candi Mills, Kimberly Powers.
The 2022-2023 year has been successful for the Millbrook Area Chamber of Commerce. During the recent year, the organization launched the Junior Ambassador Program and awarded $5,000 in scholarships, completed the City of Millbrook’s Mural Grant Program, and submitted sites to the Mural Trail, and completed the first strategic plan with Troy University’s Office of Continuing Education and Outreach.
Congratulations to the MAAC board members, newly appointed members and small business award winners!
For more information on the Millbrook Area Chamber of Commerce, visit https://millbrookchamber.org
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