The Grand Island Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its 2019 Annual Meeting at Riverside Country Club on March 14, beginning at 11:30 a.m. Recipients of the Hall of Fame, Small Business of the Year, Outlier Award and Richard Good Distinguished Service Award will be recognized. Attendees will also have a chance to listen to a message from guest speaker Scott Frost, head football coach for the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers.
The award winners are as follows:
Hall of Fame – Hornady Manufacturing
Hornady Manufacturing started as a two-man operation in 1949, and since then the Grand Island-based company grown into one of the preeminent bullets, ammunition, reloading tool and accessory design manufacturers worldwide. In October of 2018, the company opened Hornady West – its new, 150,000 square foot facility on West Old Potash Highway that serves as its main distribution center and home for stage-end processes. The Hornady family, namely Steve and Jason, have developed a strong reputation both as employers and philanthropies.
Small Business of the Year – Eustis Body Shop
Eustis Body Shop began in 1979 as a one-shop enterprise in Eustis, Nebraska by Doug Keller and now has locations in five Nebraska communities. The Grand Island shop, which was formerly Green’s Body Shop before it was purchased by Eustis Body Shop in 1991, is located just of West Old Highway 30 and is managed by Doug Miotke. Every shop is equipped with the best auto body repair equipment and technicians who are able to perform repairs in a timely manner.
Richard Good Distinguished Service Award – The Bill Marshall Family and Jeremy Jensen
Bill Marshall established Five Points Bank in 1971 and helped it become one of Central Nebraska’s strongest banks with over $1 billion in total assets before passing in 2016. He relentlessly funded efforts that supported the growth and betterment of Grand Island, a mindset that has since been carried on by his family, including his wife, Sharon. The Marshall Family played an instrumental part in the development of both the Heartland Events Center and College Park. Just recently, Grand Island Public Schools announced that the Marshall Family donated $300,000 for the naming rights of the new meeting room being built at Memorial Stadium.
Grand Island native Jeremy Jensen was inspired to run for Mayor in 2014 despite not having any prior political experience. However, he needed just one term to leave a meaningful impact. Jensen displayed a fearless, honest and professional leadership style, with his most notable achievement resulting in a turnaround of the city’s finances. In his final year, Jensen helped lead an effort to pass the half-cent city sales tax initiative, which will help Grand Island prepare for its future. Jensen did all this while also growing his business, Helix Wealth Advisors, and serving as head boys soccer coach at Grand Island Senior High.
Outlier Award – Hear Grand Island
Hear Grand Island is a 20-act, 10-week free concert series featuring Nebraska musical acts that takes place on Friday evenings in downtown Railside during the summer. The festival was founded in 2016 and has quickly grown into one of Central Nebraska’s most popular musical events, helping Grand Island’s tradition of being a fun place to work and live stay strong.
