ABOVE: The Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year winners. From left: Rising Star- Janzen’s Greenhouse, Austin Phillip and Anna Mundahl; Large Business- Sterling Pharmacy, Trudie Wood; Non-profit- Martin County Toys for Tots, Chuck Mixson; Small Business- Bowlmor Lanes, Thao Doi and Doug Pederson.

FAIRMONT– About 100 people were in attendance at the Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Banquet on Friday night. The event was held at Best Western in Fairmont.

The banquet serves as a time to acknowledge all that the Chamber has done over the past year and thank the members that support and benefit from its services. Traditionally, businesses from different categories are also honored at the time of the banquet.

Chamber President, Kandi Menne, took time to thank the 12 board members and four executive board members that serve the Chamber. She also thanked Chamber staff Sydney Andrews and Rachel Manwarren for their year- round hard work.

On Friday Menne briefly explained the new tiered dues system that the Chamber rolled out last year. She also talked about the membership incentive program. Board Chair, Aaron Speltz, went over the Chamber’s different committees and the programs that they put on or support.

After a meal was served, Chamber members were entertained by comedian magician, Jerry Fraiser, who interacted with several audience members.

At the conclusion of the event, Chamber businesses in four different categories were recognized.

Those up for large business of the year included Sterling Pharmacy, ADS, Profinium and UHD. Small business of the year nominations were Bowlmor Lanes, Culligan Water, Dee’s Floral and Design and Fairmont Roofing.

New business of the year nominations included Canna Culture, Janzen’s Greenhouse and Southern Minnesota Skin Solutions. Non-profit of the year nominations were Goldfinch Estates, MCSAP, Martin County Toys for Tots and Fairmont Lakes Foundation.

The selected winners this year were Sterling Pharmacy, Bowlmor Lanes, Janzen’s Greenhouse and Martin County Toys for Tots.

Sponsors of the annual banquet were Bank Midwest, Dee’s Floral and Designs, HyVee, Nextera Energy, UHD and Best Western.