Some of Hopkinsville’s oldest businesses and public agencies shared the spotlight with several new ventures Thursday night at the Christian County Chamber of Commerce’s annual Compass Awards dinner banquet.
Among the winners with a long tradition in the community were the Horseshoe Steakhouse, in business since 1968, the Hopkinsville Rotary Club, celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, and the Hopkinsville Water Environment Authority, which dates back to 1895.
“It’s so important that we support each other,” Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Kelli Pendleton told the large crowd gathered for a dinner at Silo Event Center.
She encouraged everyone to shop local and to take time to post comments and reviews online.
That kind of support is vital to the community’s success, she said.
The 2020 Compass Award winners are:
Agriculture/Agri-business: Agri-Chem LLC, a company formed in Hopkinsville in 1976. that now has over 60 million sales annually.
Century Award: Hopkinsville Water Environment Authority, celebrating its 125th year. The city utility employs 80 people. It is the 8th largest water and sewer utility in Kentucky.
Food Service: Horseshoe Steakhouse, a landmark business on Fort Campbell Boulevard.
Friend of the Community: Casey Jones Distillery, founded in 2014, by A.J. Jones and Peg Hays.
Health/Wellness: Jennie Stuart Health, which is the umbrella healthcare company for Jennie Stuart Medical Center. The hospital is more than 100 years old.
Horizon Award: Planters Bank-Jennie Stuart Sportsplex, a 54,000-square-foot city facility, established three years ago.
Industrial/Commercial Services: City Salvage and Recycling, established in 1984, by Ray Naghtin. In the company’s first year, Naghtin was the sole employee. Today there are 28 employees.
Nonprofit: Hopkinsville Rotary Club. The highlight of the club’s century celebration will be its annual auction in April.
Quality Service: Pennyrile Area Development District, a regional partner to local government agencies in nine counties.
Regionalism: Pennyroyal Center, a mental health facility, established in 1966.
Residential Services: HES EnergyNet Internet Services, established in 1942. It employs 53.
Retail: Bella Marie Boutique has been in business in Hopkinsville for almost four years and in Princeton since 2013.
Specialized Service: The UPS Store, which has new owners, Tammy Downs and Chris Johnson.
Spirit of Entrepreneurism: Gracious Me!, a gift store opened in 2005 by Sherry Calhoun.
Sunset Award: Means and Fort Electric. The award recognizes a business that has recently closed. The electrical firm had been in business since 1983.
Jennifer P. Brown is co-founder, publisher and editor of Hoptown Chronicle. You can reach her at editor@hoptownchronicle.org. Brown was a reporter and editor at the Kentucky New Era, where she worked for 30 years. She is a co-chair of the national advisory board to the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, governing board past president for the Kentucky Historical Society, and co-founder of the Kentucky Open Government Coalition. She serves on the Hopkinsville History Foundation's board.
