Hot Springs Metro Partnership has announced its list of economic development award nominees that will be honored at its annual meeting on Tuesday.
The annual meeting will be held from 7:30-9 a.m. Tuesday at Embassy Suites Hot Springs -- Hotel & Spa.
The program will include a review of economic growth in 2015 by Jim Fram, CEO of the HSMP, and an installation ceremony welcoming Todd Woerpel as the incoming HSMP chairman for 2016.
"While 2015 was a banner year for growth in our region, we still have more work to do and we will be revealing that process at our annual meeting," Fram said in a news release.
The event will also feature a special presentation from Mike Preston, director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. Since being appointed by Gov. Asa Hutchinson, Preston and the governor have made business development trips from coast to coast in the USA and to Europe and China recruiting new business to Arkansas.
Nominations for the four awards are as follows:
• The Hot Springs Economic Force Award -- A vital company or industry in the Hot Springs Metro economy in 2015.
Nominees are Berry Plastics Corp., CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs, Henderson State University-Hot Springs, Hot Springs Village POA, National Park Medical Center, Oaklawn Racing & Gaming, Sigma Supply Inc., and Triumph Airborne Structures.
• The Hot Springs Economic Development Leadership Award -- An individual who has shown strong leadership in economic development efforts in 2015.
Nominees are Brian Gehrki, Brian Hill, Greg Schaffer, and David Twiggs.
• The Hot Springs Historic Preservation Champion of the Year -- An entity that has shown great care for the preservation of a historic structure in 2015.
Nominees are the city of Hot Springs, Historic Visitors Chapel AME Church, P.H.O.E.B.E. (People Helping Others Excel by Example), and Taylor Kempkes Architects.
• The Downtown Hot Springs Trailblazer of the Year -- The entity that made a significant investment in downtown Hot Springs in 2015.
Nominees are First United Methodist Church, Gary Gibbs, Henderson State University-Hot Springs, Hot Springs Advertising and Promotion Commission, Rick Williams, and TKZ LLC.
The public is welcome to attend. Tickets are $30 each and tables of eight are available for $210 by calling 321-1700. Breakfast will be served.
Local on 03/13/2016