The Chamber of Commerce of Smyth County, Inc. enjoys recognizing, honoring and celebrating people and businesses throughout the county. You can learn about the many awards we give throughout the year below.
Voting is now open! Click HERE for more information.
Each year, a business or organization from each of the seven districts in Smyth County receive the Area Beautification Award. The winners of each district are selected by the Area Beautification Committee of The Chamber of Commerce of Smyth County, Inc. and are announced May through October.
Nominations for each district are welcome from the community at large and can be made by through an online nomination form, or contacting us at info@smythchamber.org or 276-783-3161.
After all seven district winners have been announced, voting begins (usually in October) for the Annual Smyth County Overall Beautification Award. The overall winner is announced at our Annual Chamber Dinner Meeting in November.
The seven districts are Rye Valley, Atkins, North Fork, Chilhowie, Saltville, Park, and Royal Oak. Click HERE for a map clarifying the different districts.
Each year, at our Annual Town & Country Dinner in September, the Chamber of Commerce of Smyth County, Inc. recognizes a successful business person in our county. In July, we open nominations from the community at large. Before the event, our Commercial & Industrial Committee vote on the winner based on these nominations.
Congratulations to the 2019 Business Person of the year Courtney Umbarger with Laurel Springs Farm!
Each year, at our Annual Town & Country Dinner in September, the Chamber of Commerce of Smyth County, Inc. recognizes an individual who has made a positive impact on the students of Smyth County’s schools. In July, we open nominations from the community at large. Before the event, our Education Committee votes on the winner based on these nominations. This individual may be a teacher, administrator, school nurse, guidance counselor, media specialist, administrative assistant, custodian, bus driver, cafeteria employee, maintenance employee, volunteer, or any other person who has made a noteworthy contribution to the education and well-being of Smyth County Students.
Congratulations to our 2019 Children First Award winner, Debbie Barrett!
Since 1970, a Smyth County Farm Family has been recognized as the Farm Family of the Year. This award is announced at our Annual Town & Country Dinner held in September. The Agriculture Committee of the Chamber of Commerce selects the winner each year. If you have a suggestion, please contact us at info@smythchamber.org or 276-783-3161.
2019 Farm Family of the Year: Will Walker Family
| Year | Recipient |
| 1970 | Harry Richardson |
| 1971 | Neal Umbarger |
| 1972 | Abe Slemp |
| 1973 | Billy Meek |
| 1974 | Raymond Buchanan |
| 1975 | Charles Lamie |
| 1976 | J.W. and Ronald Cumbow |
| 1977 | Bill Price |
| 1978 | H.P. Richardson and Family |
| 1979 | Archie Atwell |
| 1980 | Champ Clark |
| 1981 | Roy Scott Stevenson |
| 1982 | Jim and Randy Snavely |
| 1983 | Fred Conner, Jr. |
| 1984 | Johnny Waddle |
| 1985 | Rudolph and David Ernest |
| 1986 | Lewis and Bobby Combs |
| 1987 | Graham Gardner |
| 1988 | Hix and Barbara Pugh |
| 1989 | Charles Clark Family |
| 1990 | Leon W. Cole Family |
| 1991 | Eddie and Terri Stokes |
| 1992 | Danny and Kim Slemp |
| 1993 | The John DeBusk Family |
| 1994 | The Everette Umbarger Family |
| 1995 | Toby, Terry, Jared, and Jason Haynes |
| 1996 | Danny, Sue, and Adam Tilson |
| 1997 | Preston and Jay Richardson Families |
| 1998 | Tom, Sandy, and Bo Buchanan |
| 1999 | Glenn, Amy, Harrison, and Mrs. G.H. Wheeler |
| 2000 | Lucy, David, Todd, Sharon, Katie, and Abbie Dishner |
| 2001 | Hal, Lynn, Will, John, and Patrick Campbell |
| 2002 | Joe and Karen Copenhaver |
| 2003 | Scott and Shelley Waddle |
| 2004 | Justin, Bill, and Carolyn McClellan |
| 2005 | William St. john |
| 2006 | Brian Stokes |
| 2007 | Seth, Misty, Everette, and Brenda Umbarger |
| 2008 | Jacob, Kristy, and Owen Waller |
| 2009 | Walter Robinson |
| 2010 | C.W. Pratt Family |
| 2011 | Joey, and Raylinda Blankenship |
| 2012 | Jim and Laura, Etta Wilkerson |
| 2013 | Roger Meek |
| 2014 | Billy and Randy Lawson |
| 2015 | Donny Tilson |
| 2016 | J.S. Staley & Family |
| 2017 | Farrell and Julia Jones |
| 2018 | The Lamie Family |
| 2019 | The Will Walker Family |
Upon his resignation as Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce of Smyth County, Inc. in 1997, Mr. Tom Burkett established the Tom Burkett Educational Scholarship. The Chamber’s Board of Directors voted to match Mr. Burkett’s $500.00 contribution again this year with two additional $500.00 scholarships. Consequently, one eligible student from each of the three Smyth County high schools will receive an award. We are very grateful for Mr. Burkett’s generosity. Each scholarship winner will be invited to the Smyth County Chamber’s Annual Dinner Meeting in November.
The Chamber works directly with the guidance counselors from each of the three Smyth County high schools. If a student is interested in applying for this scholarship, they need to request an application from the guidance counselor. The applications are made available at the beginning of the school year. The deadline for turning in the application is usually mid-October.
Congratulations to the Winners for the 2019-2020 School Year!
Angel Norris - Chilhowie High School
Taylor Baggett - Marion Senior High School
Hagan Van Deest - Northwood High School
The winners of the FBLA Student of the Year Award, the FFA Student of the Year Award, and the 4-H Student of the Year award are all announced at our Annual Town & Country Dinner in September.
We work directly with the advisers and directors at the Smyth County Schools for the student programs mentioned above to determine the winners.
Congratulations to these student winners for the 2019-2020 School Year!
FFA Student of the Year: Russell Schleife
4-H Student of the Year: Ronnie Dalton