On the evening of November 6, the Emery County Business Chamber (ECBC) warmly opened its doors to the community for the much-anticipated annual Awards/Casino Royale Night, creating an atmosphere of celebration and recognition. The festivities commenced promptly at 6 p.m. with an inspiring welcome address delivered by ECBC Board President Darcey Powell, followed by a heartfelt invocation led by Jordan Leonard.
Among the prestigious awards presented for the 2024 year was the esteemed Longevity Award, proudly bestowed upon Carbon/Emery Insurance in acknowledgment of their longstanding contributions to the community. Merlin Weber, representing AirBNB, was celebrated as the recipient of the Tourism-based Business of the Year, further highlighting the impact of tourism on local economy, while White Space Design earned recognition as Small Business of the Year for their creative offerings and entrepreneurial spirit.
The award ceremony continued with a wide array of honors, including: Ridge Fitness as New Business of the Year, TSJ Construction winning the Big Business of the Year award, and Big Mountain Lodge receiving the Business Expansion Award for its growth and development. Prickly-N-Sweet Cactus Boutique was acknowledged with the Customer Service Award for exemplary service, while the Allred family – David, McKette, and McCoy – earned the Hospitality Award for their exceptional contributions to community hospitality. Other notable recipients included J&R Toilet Rentals as Start-up of the Year, Dan Van Wagoner recognized as Public Servant of the Year, and Four Corners Behavioral Health, honored with the Public Service Award. Junior Entrepreneur of the Year was awarded to EM Lawn Care, represented by Ethan Mills, while Brandilynn Tolbert’s Glamour Gloss was celebrated as Start-up Junior Entrepreneur of the Year.
As the evening progressed, special recognition was given to the dedicated board members of ECBC. The honored members included Laurel Magnuson, Andy Urbanik, Kent Wilson, Ethan Migliori, Jordan Leonard, Darcey Powell, Taren Powell, Kunal Sah, Melissa Staley, Mel Hugentobler, Jessie Lobato, Travis Bacon, Greg Cook, and Kevin Butler, whose tireless efforts and commitment have significantly supported the organization’s mission.
The ECBC expressed heartfelt gratitude to all attendees for their unwavering support throughout the year, emphasizing the importance of community connection and collaboration. Acknowledgment was also extended to the generous raffle sponsors who contributed to the success of the evening’s event, including: Magnuson Lumber, Emery Telcom, Main Street Market, Castleview Hospital, ETV News, Clifford Oviatt, Huntington Parts City, Hometown Market, SERDA, Fairfield Inn in Moab, Stewart’s Market, the Carbon County Chamber of Commerce, the ECBC, Salon Sensations, JN Auto, Ungerman Meats, River Terrace Hotel, Ace Hardware, J&D Automotive, Prickly N Sweet Cactus Boutique, Eastern Utah Community Credit Union, BK’s Stop N Shop, Food Ranch, Millsite Golf Course, Ever Ours Floral, The Cookie Jar, Cup of Joe’s, Emery County Travel Bureau, Joe’s Valley Fest, Ponderosa Grill, and Zion’s Bank.
**Interview with Darcey Powell, President of the Emery County Business Chamber**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for taking the time to speak with us today, Darcey. The Annual Awards/Casino Royale Night was a wonderful event. Can you share with us what the atmosphere was like during the celebration?
**Darcey Powell:** Absolutely! The atmosphere was electric. We had a fantastic turnout from the community, and the excitement was palpable from the moment we opened the doors. It’s always a joy to gather and celebrate the accomplishments of our local businesses and individuals who work tirelessly for our community.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like a night to remember! The Longevity Award went to Carbon/Emery Insurance this year. What do you think made their contributions stand out in the community?
**Darcey Powell:** Carbon/Emery Insurance has been a cornerstone of our community for many years. They’ve consistently provided exceptional service and support not just within the insurance sector, but also in community initiatives. Their commitment to local outreach and charity work has made a significant impact in Emery County.
**Interviewer:** That’s inspiring. We also saw awards going to various businesses like AirBNB for the Tourism-based Business of the Year. How important are tourism and these recognitions for the local economy?
**Darcey Powell:** They are incredibly important! Tourism brings in revenue and creates jobs. Recognizing businesses like AirBNB highlights their role in attracting visitors to our area. The more we spotlight these contributions, the more we can encourage growth in that sector, which benefits everyone in the community.
**Interviewer:** This year’s event also recognized newcomers like Ridge Fitness. How do you see new businesses impacting the overall community dynamics?
**Darcey Powell:** New businesses inject fresh energy and innovation into our local economy. Ridge Fitness, for example, is not only promoting health and wellness but also fosters a sense of community among its members. Each new business brings unique offerings that enhance the quality of life in Emery County.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned other awards, including for customer service and hospitality. How vital are these aspects in a small community?
**Darcey Powell:** They are absolutely vital! In a small community, people know each other, and personal connections matter. Recognizing exceptional customer service and hospitality, like that of Prickly-N-Sweet Cactus Boutique and the Allred family, shows how these values are essential to creating a welcoming and supportive environment.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Darcey, for your insights. It’s clear that the Emery County Business Chamber plays a pivotal role in fostering community spirit. Any final thoughts on what’s next for the Chamber?
**Darcey Powell:** Thank you! Moving forward, we’re focused on continuing to support our local businesses and fostering connections within the community. We have a few exciting initiatives and workshops planned for the upcoming year to help businesses grow and thrive. We look forward to another great year ahead!
**Interviewer:** Sounds fantastic! We look forward to hearing more about those developments. Thank you for your time, Darcey!
