The Ponoka Chamber of Commerce celebrated what they called businesses that set the gold standard in their community, at their annual business awards banquet Friday night.

President of the Ponoka Chamber Barry Grant says events like this are great ways to not only raise money for the chamber, but to enforce the idea of small businesses being the backbone of communities like Ponoka.

“Well it keeps people in town right, it gives them a selection of unique things they can do, shop for, and look for right within our own communities. The Chamber itself has been working on a few little changes, we are working on a little bit more networking opportunities for the businesses so within the Chamber itself, businesses can understand what others are doing and the services they provide.”

Business Person of the Year went to Jim Hamilton, owner of Hamilton's IGA and Hammy's Spirits, who says Ponoka is a great example of business people and local governments working together for a common goal.

“I think all small towns have the same mentality, you work together as a community. The difference of a small town to a city is just you can do things, you know every other business person in town and you all work together and it’s all for the good of the town. This new council we have I’m very excited to work with them, they are very aggressive and they want to see growth in Ponoka. We’ve had councils in the past that were quite happy with the status quo, this council wanted to see growth they want the town to grow, and it’s been a real pleasure to work with this council and mayor.”

Other winners on the night included:

Sliding 14 Brewing Company for Medium Business of the Year, with Ponoka Chamber of Commerce President Barry Grant (R)

A tie for Small Business of the year between Hot Express Food Truck and Stafford Catering (L), and Prairie Boys Truck and Car Wash.

Sommer's Home Hardware for Large Business of the Year.

Ponoka Veterinary Clinic for Agricultural Business of the Year.

Under Pressure Line Jetting for Industrial Business of the Year.

Calnash Ag Events Centre for Non-profit of the Year.

Susie Bell of Adams Chevrolet Buick GMC Ltd, who took home Customer Service Person of the Year. (Susie was harvesting and unable to make the evening, so an unknown male who left before I could get his name accepted on her behalf).