Wednesday afternoon the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce conducted its annual meeting and awards ceremony.
Plymouth Mayor Mark Senter was the guest speaker and talked about a few of the unique experiences and conversations he has had during the last 15 years, 10 months, and 2 weeks in office. One of those included a lady who called from Williams Street complaining about the news of the crews working on the street. She told the mayor her mother was ill and with all the noise she was unable to get any rest or sleep. During the conversation, Mayor Mark decided to ask her if she lived in Plymouth, Indiana and she said NO! Plymouth Massachusetts. Mayor Mark informed her that she was calling Indiana and politely hung up.
Mayor Senter highlighted some of the many things he is proud of including meeting citizens face to face when there are issues or problems to handle. Accomplishments included the renovated REES Theatre, growth in the industrial park with Pretzels Inc., the creation of a city logo and new entrance signs yet to come, the new Bowen Center facility, and a Hampton Inn.
Connie Holzwart, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce highlighted the 2023 events including 10 Business Connections breakfasts, 3 Women in Business luncheons, 2 Lunch & Learn events, 8 ribbon cuttings, and this year taking control of the planters in the downtown. She also said the Chamber will celebrate 100 years next year and planning is underway for that event. Connie said the board is working to get a young adult professionals network started up again.
The Plymouth Chamber then voted on two new board members. Matt Hovermale the General Manager of the Swan Lake Resort and Terry Clemens from the Deaton Clemens Van Gilder Funeral Home were elected to the Board of Directors.
The chamber then announced the results of chamber member votes for several categories. The Small Business of the Year was The Remembrance Centre. The Midsize Business of the Year was Oliver Ford Lincoln, and the Large Business of the Year was Plymouth Foundry. The Non-Profit of the Year was the Marshall County Humane Society.
Two new awards were added this year, a Distinguished Businesswoman and Businessman of the Year. Jamie Beckwith from the Johnson Danielson Funeral Home was voted the Businesswoman of the Year while her father, Jim Weldy from the Johnson Danielson Funeral Home was the Businessman of the Year.
The final award presented was the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Citizen of the Year. Gwen Calvert from the Marshall County Boys and Girls Club was surprised and speechless with the honor.
