 For 13 years, the Bemidji Area Chamber of Commerce has celebrated small businesses each year with their awards of excellence luncheon. Small business owners and employees filled the ballroom of the Hampton Inn in Suits as they heard from chamber members and also special guest speakers. Nominations for the awards of excellence are made by chamber and community members. The awards presentation is just one way the Chamber of Commerce recognizes small businesses and celebrates their success. A small business is the foundation for our economy here and it's just an opportunity to recognize and thank our businesses for all they do. The Charlie Naylor Lifetime Achievement Award was one of the honors presented during the luncheon. This year's recipient is Wayne Thorson of Thorson Construction who wanted to make sure his employees and company were in good hands when he retired. So I made a deal with Montana Dakota Utilities who spin off his knife river and I made a deal with them to trade stock for stock. I walked out, they walked in, the only one that lost a job was me. Awards for wellness in the workplace were presented to First National Bank, Best Business of the Year went to Otter Tail Power Company and the best new business of the year winner was Face It Together. Michael Stitsworth of Stitsworth Meats was honored as entrepreneur of the year, congratulations to all of them. If you've enjoyed this segment of Lakeland News please consider making a tax deductible contribution to Lakeland Public Television.