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Incoming Morristown Area Chamber of Commerce Chairman David Slack reported on Tuesday that in Hamblen County, small business members provide full and part time employment to over 6,500 people.

“In the past 50 years, about half of the individuals serving in the Volunteer Leadership position at the Chamber, board president or chairman, represented a small business,” Slack said.

His remarks as emcee at the Chamber’s annual Small Business Awards of Excellence luncheon preceded the awards presentations to companies and organizations in eight categories. A total of 22 businesses were nominated.

“To us, they are all winners,” Slack said.

College Park Pharmacy earned the 2023 Small Business of the Year Award, presented to the business receiving the highest score of all nominees. The award was presented by Tommy Pedigo, Crye*Leike Premier Real Estate.

The Small Business Awards of Excellence program was established to recognize outstanding Chamber member businesses with 50 or fewer employees. Businesses were nominated by Chamber members and each nominee completed an application providing information for a panel of judges who determined the winners in each category.

The annual Horizon award is given to a Chamber member business five years or newer showing tremendous potential for future growth and success. All of the nominees who have been in business for five years or less were considered.

The 2023 Horizon award was presented to GAINS Coaching and Consulting Services, led by Rhonda Norris-Spencer. The company was nominated in the Service-Based category. The award was sponsored by Purkey, Carter, Compton, Swann & Carter.

Quality Plumbing Heating and Cooling was presented the award for the Service-Based category. The other nominated company was Luttrell Staffing Group, established in 1993. The award was sponsored by First Bank & Trust.

“Small businesses by our definition of 50 employees or less, make up 87 percent of the Chamber membership and contributed about 83 percent of the Chamber’s membership investment dollars. “We are proud of these small businesses, who, through their involvement, make a difference in our Chamber and our community,” Slack said.

Other recognitions included the Finance/Insurance/Real Estate Award presented to Lakeway Area Association of Realtors. Also nominated were Hamblen Mutual Insurance and Union Home Mortgage. The award was sponsored by Eastman Credit Union.

The Healthcare Based Business Award was presented to Absolute Treatment Physical Therapy & Sports Performance. Other nominees were Heskett Family Chiropractic and Urgent Team. The award was sponsored by Express Employment Professionals.

The Non-Profit Business Award was presented to Lakeway CASA. Other nominees were Clinch Powell RC&D, HOLA Lakeway, Isaiah 117 House-Hamblen County, Morristown Makers and Stepping Out, Inc. The award was sponsored by Morristown Utilities.

The Hospitality/Leisure Based Business Award was presented to Little Dutch Restaurant. Other nominees were Family Fun Zone and Main Street Nutrition Club. The Award was sponsored by Rhonda Sams, Crye*Leike Premier Real Estate.

The Retail Based Business Award was presented to Mobility Plus Morristown. Other nominees were College Park Pharmacy and Sweet Magnolia Home Décor. The award was sponsored by The Tennessee Credit Union.

Videos of each of the 22 nominated business were produced and presented at the awards luncheon by Daniel Munson.

The awards were presented by First Horizon. Other sponsors included the Citizen Tribune, GAINS Coaching & Consulting Services, Citizens National Bank, Dudash Executive Coaching, HomeTrust Bank and ReVIDA Recovery,