GREATER BLYTHEVILLE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Scroll down to calendar to see more Chamber events!
Join us for a major community event
SPONSORED BY
Arkansas Northeastern College
Farmers Bank & Trust
Nucor-Yamato Steel
MARCH 9
6:30 P.M. Auctions open at 5:30
BRIGGS-SEBAUGH --ANC
With a special feature honoring Marybeth Byrd
MEET THE PRESIDENT
Billy Curl
2020 Chamber President
A prominent businessman in the midsouth region, Billy Curl is owner of Cobb Funeral Home and Westwood Funeral Services in Blytheville. Cobb, a historic business founded in 1895 remains the premier funeral service in the area, conducting over 180 services per year. Billy was founder and previously owned one of the largest mortuary services in the midsouth, Midsouth Mortuary Service, Memphis, Tennessee, until 1998, when he accepted a full-time position as an Apache/Kiowa Warrior helicopter Instructor for the U.S. Army Aviation Support Facility in Tupelo, Mississippi.
Billy is a retired U.S. Army helicopter pilot, having served 24 years in the military, including ten years of active duty and fourteen years in the National Guard. In 2004, he was awarded the Army Air Medal and two commendation medals for his combat service in Iraq. He also received the Mississippi Magnolia Cross, the highest award available from the state of Mississippi, for his service “with valor” in Iraq. Billy now serves on several notable veteran service committees throughout the area, in support of veterans.
Born in Michigan, Billy moved to Newport, Arkansas at the age of ten. He graduated from Newport High School and holds an associate’s degree in mortuary Science from Northwest Community College. A licensed funeral director, he continues his education with in-service and certification courses in business-related fields.
In 2018, Billy was appointed by Governor Asa Hutchinson to the Arkansas Funeral Directors & Embalmers Board and is a member of the MS-Mort team. In addition to the state position, he is an active community member. He is a member of the Blytheville Rotary Club, Blytheville Unlimited; president-elect of the Greater Blytheville Area Chamber of Commerce and an active member of the First United Methodist Church.
Who can attend?
The Annual Banquet is open to anyone! While it is sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, it is a community event and it is all about community. Tickets are available from Chamber board members, at the Chamber office, and right here on this site.
What happens at the banquet?
The banquet is a sit-down dinner that includes a brief address from the Chamber president, followed by Awards of Excellence to businesses and individuals who make outstanding contributions to community. This year a special tribute will honor Marybeth Byrd, an area native who recently gained acclaim on national television's "The Voice," where she was a semi-finalist. A list of award nominees is available on this site.
What are "the auctions"?
One of the most entertaining parts of the banquet--that's what the auctions are...two auctions, the Chamber Chance and the Luxury Silent Auction, offer everyone the opportunity to go home with something great. The Chamber Chance features some forty baskets and boxes of themed gifts--every basket is worth hundreds of dollars--and they are all raffle items. Buy your tickets and drop them in the bucket for the items you hope to win! The Luxury Silent Auction is small, with only ten to twelve higher end items. Make your bid and hope it is the best. The Chamber takes all major credit cards to help you purchase all the raffle tickets you want, and to get those silent auction items too.
Sample auction items!
CHAMBER AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE
Annual award nominees are:
PRIDE IN PROPERTY
Awarded to businesses dedicated to excellence in appearance, either through ongoing maintenance or through renovations and remodels.
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BLYTHEVILLE BOOK COMPANY
Brand new in historic downtown, this beautiful bookstore brings to life a once forgotten corner, offering not just books, but coffee, wine and unique items. Part of a longer-term revamp project on Main Street, the bookstore is the harbinger for things to come in Blytheville.
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HOUSEWORTH HOTELS
A never-stopping leader in improving Blytheville, the hotel system has completed renovations of one hotel and is beginning another. With hundreds of hotels on the I-55/Hway corridor, Houseworth Hotels are always a source of pride for Blytheville.
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TERRY ABSTRACT
It's one of those quiet businesses that may not be on your radar, but Terry Abstracts, with its long history in Blytheville, has brightened its appearance with new landscaping and a welcoming entry so aligned with our Delta hospitality.
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THOMAS SPEIGHT & NOBLE
Tax season or not, this premier accounting firm is consistently among the best manicured and best maintained business properties in Blytheville. Year in and year out, landscaping and building maintenance are spot on!
SMALL BUSINESS & INDUSTRY
Awarded to outstanding businesses and industries in Blytheville with 30 or less employees.
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BLYTHEVILLE/GOSNELL REGIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY
This nonprofit business has stepped up to advance the tourism opportunities the former Blytheville Air Force Base offers. Notably, BGRAA is pushing forward with a huge project--The National Cold War Museum.
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BLYTHEVILLE COUNTRY CLUB GOLF SHOP
A separate retail business, but located in the Country Club, the golf shop has long served the city with golfing attire, equipment and a wide variety of merchandise for the sporting public. One of those constant businesses, the shop also is a distributor for the terrific Green Egg.
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BURGE'S SHOES
Another downtown staple, Burge's can be counted on for the newest in shoe styles, superb customer service and that great hometown hospitality. In a unique turn, Burge's also serves our industry need for work boots.
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DIXIE PIG
An icon--that is about all that needs to be said. A long Blytheville history has brought this BBQ spot to national attention more than once. Nothing changes much at the Dixie Pig, but then that is what makes it great!
LARGE BUSINESS & INDUSTRY
Awarded to outstanding businesses and industries in Blytheville with over 30 employees.
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MISSISSIPPI COUNTY ELECTRIC COOP
A Touchstone Energy coop, Mississippi County Electric is member-owned rather than shareholder-owned. Translation: Good service, complete information and quick responsiveness. The "coop" serves a wide range in the Blytheville area, including many industries, and it is noted a community-minded organization supporting many community development projects throughout the area.
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LOWE'S
Not much needs to be said--Lowe's is a terrific addition to the Blytheville big box retail sector. Opened well over ten years ago, the store is a staple for home improvement products and building supplies. Do-it-yourselfers and professionals alike value the accessibility of Lowe's
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TENARIS
One of Mississippi County's largest employers, this pipe producer in an international corporation that continues to play an important role in community. Well-known for involvement in an after-school learning program, Tenaris is also a notably solid employer offering employees good benefits and ongoing training.
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WASTE PRO
One of Blytheville's newer industries, Waste Pro is a national company offering commercial waste pick-up throughout the area. Active in the community and providing good jobs, the company has built an excellent reputation.
EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR
Mary Jackson
BLYTHEVILLE SCHOOLS
Paula Tiffany
ARMOREL SCHOOLS
Ashley Bowdler
GOSNELL SCHOOLS
Jon Tomasello
KIPP DELTA
In a special banquet feature, sponsored by Tenaris, see honors go to local Marybeth Byrd, who took the community by storm when she became a semi-finalist on the nationally broadcast "The Voice."
