In 2021, we assisted in the opening of over 13 new businesses or locations. We raised over $20,000 for various charities and nonprofits. We raised over $8,000 for our high school and adult scholarship programs. We had over 30 new members in our 2020-2021 year and have 14 so far in our 2021-2022 year. We introduced 3 new programs, brought back our awards banquet after an almost two-decade hiatus, welcomed a new Outstanding Woman in Business, won Pride of the Counties at the Kentucky State Fair, held the largest event in the history of Riverfront Park, and so much more. We thank you all for sticking with and supporting your Meade County Area Chamber of Commerce and can’t wait to show you what we have planned for 2022. So until then, stay safe and shop local! See you in 2022!

The Meade County Area Chamber of Commerce Work Ethic Certification program is a partnership between our students and our business community to build a better workforce.

The Work Ethic Diploma program was started began the Meade County High School and the Meade County Area Chamber of Commerce in 2015 to bring the business community closer with students. It was implemented to teach the professional skills necessary to be successful employees upon graduation. This was done with the input of area educators, business leaders, and post-secondary representatives, standards were developed for a Work Ethic Certification program. The program saw success until the business climate changed in 2020. It was then determined that the workforce needs more innovation and the programming needed to be updated.

Read more about the program or how you can #HireWorkEthic here. To become a Work Ethic employer please contact Annie Hamilton at director@meadekychamber.org and if you are a student interested in becoming Work Ethic certified please contact Nick Sutherland at nicholas.sutherland@meade.kyschools.us or Kyle Malloy at kyle.melloy@meade.kyschools.us.

We would love to thank everyone that made last night’s Outstanding Woman in Business event such as success. First, thank you so much to all of the female owner or female co-owned businesses that made the night a success. The amazing Venue at Roberts Family Farm! Kathy Simmons and Home Plate for an outstanding dinner. Pat’s Florist for our centerpieces. Also, thank you so much to WesBanco’s Marilyn Ford for being a truly inspiring keynote speaker.

Secondly, we cannot forget all of our outstanding woman in business nominees.

Finally, congratulations to Miss Avery Shacklette on your win as Future Business Woman of the Year and Mrs. Erica Rhodes Bevill for your win as Outstanding Business Woman of the Year. We could not have been more honored to be amongst so many talented and accomplished women that represent Meade County every day!

We are currently taking nominations for the 2021 Outstanding Woman in Business Award in Meade County. We are looking for nominations to identify and honor one outstanding woman, in our community, whose success in business and contributions have set the pace for our region’s future. Nominees should be innovative leaders who are making waves with their energy, ideas, achievements, and commitment to excellence in the area. There will be a new category this year of the Future Woman in Business Award. The nominations for such will be made by their teachers. Nominations for Outstanding Woman in Business will start online on October 11, 2021, and are due no later than 5:00 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021. You can make nominations for Outstanding Woman in Business online HERE. You can make nominations for Future Woman in Business online HERE.

A selection committee will use only the nomination forms to make final selections. Please be as complete and thorough as possible. You will be asked to use the online nomination system, please make sure to include all the contact information on the form along with the nominees’ qualifications.

Submitting multiple nominations for one nominee is not necessary, as the selection committee will not decide based on a show of support but rather on the quality and thoroughness of supporting information.

Requirements for nomination are as follows: (Please be as detailed as possible.)

1. The nominee may be nominated by an individual or business coworker.
2. The nominee must live or work in Meade County.
3. You will be asked to outline the area(s) in which the nominee has made an important and noticeable contribution to her community, by leading the way, to making Meade County a better place for all. You will be asked to answer these questions on the nomination form:
4. Explain areas in which the nominee has gained the respect of her peers and how she is called upon for advice and mentoring?
5. How have their volunteer involvements and/or civic engagements had a positive impact on Meade County?
6. What programs, projects, or achievements demonstrate the nominee’s leadership in the community?

The award winners will be notified and the awards will be presented at the Meade County Chamber of Commerce’s event Outstanding Woman in Business Awards Dinner is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021.

Award Ceremony

The winners and nominees will be recognized at the 2021 Outstanding Woman in Business Awards Dinner. Mark your calendars to join us on Thursday, November 4, 2021, at the Venue at Roberts Family Farm. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with dinner served at 6:30 p.m. You can make reservations RESERVATIONS by clicking here or by calling (270-422-3626) $15 per ticket. Tables of 6 can be purchased for $85 and tables of 8 can be purchased for $110.