Pike County’s history and commerce were celebrated at this year’s Pike County Chamber of Commerce banquet and meeting. Members of Chamber gathered at the Troy Country Club for the annual event.

As part of the celebration, Pike County Commission Chairman Homer Wright joined area mayors in updating the group on the year’s accomplishments and good news.

Wright discussed the progress the commission was making in completing roads projects with the help of Alabama Transportation Rehabilitation and Improvement grants and collaborations with local municipalities.

Brundidge City Councilwoman Cynthia Pearson stood in for Mayor Jimmy Ramage. She reported the opening of a Family Dollar, the pending renovations of a Dollar General and the $3.8 million expansion of Southern Classic Foods.

“We are just so happy to have Family Dollar in the City of Brundidge and thankful you had confidence in our commerce,” Pearson said.

She said the City would spend about $1.8 million improving its infrastructure in order to accommodate the Southern Classics expansion, which will net about 49 new jobs. “We could always use new jobs.”

Goshen Mayor Jack Waller said his town was in great shape. Goshen’s taxes came from taxes on alcohol, tobacco and properties. “Drinkers are going to drink, smokers are going to smoke and all of us are going to pay property taxes,” he said.

The year had seen the addition of a new softball field and the town was working hard to attract new businesses. Waller thanked the County Commission for the roadwork done in his area. “All roads leading into Goshen have been resurfaced.”

Troy Mayor Jason Reeves said the city was growing and had been named one of the best in the state to start a business. He credited a low sales tax for the recognition.

Troy utilities are up, thanks to January’s storm and the City has benefited from collaborations. Businesses like Troy Regional Medical Center were collaborating with other businesses and Troy was working with the County on ATRIP grants for better roads.

Reeves said the collaborations meant better services for residents of Pike County and he looked forward to working with other municipalities in the coming year. “I’m grateful to live in a city and county that can work together,” he said.

John Ramage, chairman of Pike County Economic Development Corporation, agreed that collaboration had brought successful ventures to the area. His organization was there to foster relationships. “We’re a conduit for cities to work together,” he said. “A win for Goshen is a win for Pike County. It’s not Brundidge versus Troy … except for that one Friday night five years ago. We can’t forget that.”

The Chamber recognized several individuals and businesses for their successes and their contributions to Chamber. Amongst the success stories was Business of the Year, Sips on the Square. Owners Lindsey and Jamie Taylor were present to accept the award. The best service business of the year was Southeast Alabama Electric Cooperative and outstanding nonprofit was Troy Rotary Club.

This year’s winners also included Outstanding Customer Service, Chick-fil-A; Industry of the Year, Walmart Distribution Center; Young Professional of the Year, Lindsay Gardner; Most Committed to Community, CGI; Most Promising New Business, Taco Del Mar; Chamber Board Member of the Year, Melissa Sanders; Most Dedicated Volunteer, Chuck Carson; Behind the Scenes, Rob Drinkard; Hospitality Industry of the Year, Johnson Center for the Arts; Medical Professional of the Year Theresa Grimes; Clinical Professional of the Year, Amy Minor; Medical Organization of the Year, SARHA; and Physician of the Year, Dr. Eric Law.