The Thomasville-Thomas County Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Southwest Georgia Farm Credit, seeks to recognize and celebrate business excellence, honoring outstanding professionals in seven categories at the annual Community Impact Awards Dinner.  The award categories include Small Business of the Year, Large Business of the Year, Non-Profit Organization of the Year, Man of the Year, Woman of the Year, The Covey Agriculture Award by Southwest Georgia Farm Credit, and The Bob “Hutch” Hutchison Legacy Award.   

Nominations are open online at www.imaginethomasville.com/CIA  and must be submitted on or before the deadline of September 3, 2021. The selection committee, comprised of local Chamber executives, Southwest Georgia Chamber Executives, and the Georgia Chamber Rural Development Manager, will review each nomination to ensure all submissions meet the awards criteria. Only completed submissions will be reviewed. Selected winners will be contacted by the Annual Awards Selection Committee in mid-September.  

Winners will be recognized and honored during the event, scheduled for November 4, 2021, at the Biscuit Company.  

“The annual Community Impact Awards is an opportunity to celebrate our business community. This year marks an incredible milestone as The Thomasville-Thomas County Chamber of Commerce celebrates 100 years,”  said Andrea Collins, executive director. “We are going all out this year with a black-tie optional, formal event honoring leaders from the past and present.”  

The Chamber is excited to announce a new award, The Covey Agriculture Award, sponsored by Southwest Georgia Farm Credit, to recognize agribusiness in Thomasville and Thomas County. Farm Credit helps maintain and improve the quality of life in rural America and on the farm, through its century of commitment to competitive lending and expert financial services. 

“The purpose of the Southwest Georgia Farm Credit Covey Agriculture Award is to recognize those that provide our food and fiber and who are also considered to be cultivators, conservationists, and stewards of the land in Thomas County,” said Allen Corbin, Southwest Georgia Farm Credit relationship manager. “This prestigious award will honor the individual or family that works to advocate and educate on behalf of one of South Georgia’s leading industries and leverages innovation, job creation, and technology to improve the understanding of agriculture’s importance within rural communities and to a more sustainable future for all.”

Nominations must be received no later than September 3. For more information and specifics regarding award criteria, please visit the website at www.thomasvillechamber.com/CIA or contact the Chamber at (229) 226-9600 or by email at info@imaginethomasville.com.