Chamber News:

FDP Annual Meeting Held at Colonial Inn

The membership of the Farmville Chamber of Commerce and the Farmville Downtown Partnership met jointly on Thursday, April 24th for the Farmville Development Partnership’s annual meeting.  After enjoying a social, which was sponsored by Bank of America, BB&T, and Southern Bank, at the Whitley House, the members and guests gathered at The Colonial Inn for a delicious buffet dinner.  Reverend Tom Tunstall returned thanks for the meal.  After dinner, the FDP Annual Meeting and Awards Presentation were held and that was followed by the Farmville Citizen of the Year Committee’s 2007 Award Presentation. 

FDP Chairman Richard Harris welcomed the membership and guests including several visiting elected officials and dignitaries.  Harris then recognized the board members whose terms had expired.  Linda Carol Burti, representing the Farmville Downtown Partnership, and Richard Harris, representing the Chamber of Commerce, were presented with a token of appreciation and thanked for their service.  The next order of business was the presentation of the nominating committee’s recommendation of new board members for the coming year.  The recommendations were Mike McLawhorn, representing the Chamber of Commerce, and Donna Kemp, representing the Farmville Downtown Partnership.  After asking if there were any other nominations, the membership voted to approve McLawhorn and Kemp as members of the Farmville Development Partnership Board of Directors.

During the year, the FDP hosts many community events which enhance our quality of life and these events wouldn’t be possible without the support of our area businesses and volunteers.  The FDP Board of Directors named the 2007 Volunteer of the Year and 2007 Chamber Member of the Year at the annual meeting.  Dixie Tugwell of Best Value Drug was named 2007 Volunteer of the Year.  Year after year, Dixie has taken the role of “Head Elf” and has organized the preparation of the cookies and hot cocoa served at the annual Christmas Tree Lighting on the Town Common.  Dixie is always ready to lend a hand and the FDP was proud to honor her with this award.

The 2007 Chamber Member of the Year was awarded to Passport Door and Dock Systems.  This business was recognized not only for its efforts to improve a blighted property in Farmville’s industrial district, but for providing space in their building for two new businesses, Hobbs Insurance Agency and East Coast Glass.  Passport Door and Dock Systems, along with Eubanks Mechanical, Inc., have taken a lead role in improving run-down and hazardous areas of our town and making these areas home to several profitable businesses.  The FDP board was proud to honor this business for it efforts as well.

The Farmville Development Partnership Board of Directors and staff have continued to follow the strategies established from the 2005 Economic Summit as the centerpiece of the yearly program of work.  Copies of the 2007 Annual Report are available at the office of the Farmville Development Partnership located in The May Museum and Park at 3802 South Main Street.  The staff welcomes your visit and encourages all visitors to tour the property and grounds while you are there.

With the business of the Farmville Development Partnership being concluded, the annual meeting was adjourned and the podium was turned over to the Citizen of the Year Committee, which was led by 2006 Citizen of the Year Joe Kue.  The Citizen of the Year Committee, which is not associated with the Farmville Development Partnership, is comprised of former recipients of the award.  Nominations are presented to a committee of undisclosed members.  This committee then makes its selection from the nominations that are presented.  As reported in the April 30, 2008 issue of The Farmville Enterprise, the 2007 Citizen of the Year Award was presented to Dr. Bert Warren, Sr.  The Honorable John B. Lewis, Jr., presented the award after sharing many humorous stories of the life and times of Dr. Bert Warren.

The Chamber of Commerce membership drive continues.  As of April 30, 2008, there are 69 new and renewing members of the Chamber of Commerce.  We invite all businesses, organizations and individuals to join the Chamber and be a part of promoting and marketing the town of Farmville.  For more information about the Chamber of Commerce, please call 753-4670 or email chamber@farmville-nc.com.