Several awards given to well-deserving members of the community By Catherine Kirk The Bolivar Bullet Monday night, the Cleveland-Bolivar County Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 2023 Annual Banquet while highlighting the Chamber’s 75th anniversary and the prestigious award winners for the year. The Economic Development Foundation and community members were invited to attend the banquet, which was held at the Bolivar County Expo Complex as the Chamber recognized the service and support of its volunteers and sponsors. Before the evening’s banquet, the Chamber hosted a Cleveland-Bolivar County FAM Tour, which started Monday morning at the Charles W. Dean Industrial Park and an agriculture excursion before lunch was served. The tour continued at the Port of Rosedale, Industrial Park and Great River Road State Park before guests returned to the Cotton House Hotel to prepare for the anniversary banquet. “We decided as part of our annual banquet we needed to celebrate the Chamber’s 75th anniversary. After some additional conversations, we thought, ‘Why not show off the community while we were at it?’’ said Hannah Aguzzi, Chamber Director. At the start of the banquet, a welcome speech was given by Jeffrey Farris, president of the Chamber of Commerce, regarding the prestigious awards given in recognition of individuals and businesses who have served the community.  “We say thank you to those who have come before us, recognize past leadership, and spotlight our staff who are the driving force to keep us motivated and organized as we serve a community that feels our heart with pride and joy,” said Farris. After recognizing the members of the Chamber Executive Committee, Chamber Board of Directors, Tourism Board, Team Cleveland, EDF, Young Professionals, Chamber Staff and event sponsors, special messages were then given by Nehi Bottling Company President Homer Sledge III and Cleveland Mayor Billy Nowell. After a prayer by Minister Charles Cannon of House of Prayer, Aguzzi recognized their guests, sponsors and volunteers for the event. Attendees included Transportation Commissioner Willie Simmons, representatives Bill Crump  and Umesh Sanjanwala from the Office of Senator Cindy-Hyde-Smith, representative Kristen Windham from the Office of Governor Tate Reeves, Senators Sarita Simmons and Mike McLendon; Representatives Robert Sanders, Tracey Rosebud, Otis Anthony, Orlando Paden, John Hines Sr. and Derrick Simmons; Cleveland Mayor Billy Nowell, City Aldermen Zinnia Howze, Gary Gainspoletti and Kirk Povall; Bolivar County Supervisors Larry King, James McBride, Jacorius Liner, Orlando Morton, Donny Whitten; County Administrator Will Hooker; Bolivar County Chancery Clerk Brennet Haynes; Sheriff Kelvin Williams; Judge Hunter Nowell; Mississippi Development Authority Christian Lockamy, David Rose from Cooperative Entergy, and Delta State University President Dr. Daniel Ennis.  Aguzzi thanked the sponsors that helped make the event possible, which include Platinum sponsors — Guaranty Bank, Quality Steel, and Simplot; Gold Sponsor — Mike and Nan Sanders; and Silver Sponsors — Aguzzi Farms, Lifetime Dental, Mitchell Distributing, Nehi Bottling Co, Renasant Bank, Serv-U Petroleum, and Whole Cellars Package Store. The first award of the evening was the Lucy R. Janoush Citizenship Award, which is awarded by the City of Cleveland.