BEATRICE – The Beatrice Area Chamber of Commerce honored businesses, individuals and nonprofits during the organization’s 2021 Member Awards lunch on Tuesday.


Erich Tiemann of R.L. Tiemann Construction was named the Business Person of the Year. He is the Gage County Board Chairman.  Named Business of the Year was Exmark Manufacturing, one of the area’s largest employers... in the lawn and turf care industry.


The Young Professional of the Year was Danielle Fairbanks, an Administrative Assistant for Beatrice School District Fifteen. The Outstanding New Business Award went to Clean Slate Soap.


The Nonprofit of the year is Blue Valley Behavioral Health organization. This year’s Best New Image award went to the Jones Group, an insurance and financial services firm. The Customer Service Award was presented to Beatrice Movies.


Chamber employee recognition honors went to Mayetta Styers of Beatrice Health and Rehabilitation….and Joshua Leseberg with Rare Earth Salts.


Chamber Executive Director Angie Bruna says local businesses have bounced back well, making it through a pandemic year.  "Our community has joined together with a commitment to support and strengthen each other. Our business men and women found creative ways to serve their customers. As a chamber, we have adapted, rescheduled, postponed, cancelled and reinvented activities and events."


Bruna noted that Homestead Days was held at its’ normal summer slot this year, and the organization has been able to conduct 31 ribbon cuttings with about as many more, yet to be scheduled.  "I'll be seeking to work with our board of directors and various committees to increase member involvement...as we've heard time and again, the more our members are involved, the more successful they are with their chamber membership."


The awards lunch catered by Valentino’s was held at the Holiday Inn Hotel Conference Center in north Beatrice. There were 32 businesses, individuals and nonprofits nominated for Beatrice Area Chamber awards, this year.