Businesses in and around Hope Mills gathered to recognize local businesses and boogie like it was 1980 at their 2023 Annual Banquet & Awards Ceremony held on Saturday, May 13. 

After celebrating the success of the HMACC Golf Tournament held in early May, announced by Chamber leadership as the most profitable and successful of the Tournaments thus far, 

$1,000 of the proceeds were donated to local Hope Mills Charity, the Associated Local Ministries in Service Helping Others in Unfortunate Situations and Experiences (ALMS) house.  

“We're really hoping that these funds can really grow back toward impacting our community here. So thank you guys, for helping us make this possible,” shared Chamber President Casey Ferris. “So thank you guys helping us make this possible, and thank you to the ALMS House for everything you do for our community.” 

The night was used to award businesses as voted by the community in four categories. 

The winners include: 

Member of the Year: Casey Ferris 

Non-Profit of the Year: VFW Post 670 

Business of the Year: Harmony at Hope Mills 

Best New Business: Scented Wicks 

It was also announced that all of the current HMACC Board Members would be remaining in their positions for new terms: 

Anne Marie Ziegler

Melannie Armstrong

Dave Yensan

Kathryn Locklear

Joanne Scarola

Greg Adair

Rebecca Gibbs

Nathan Hwang

The event, hosted with a 1980s prom theme, also crowned a Prom King and Queen for the night based on audience response to the most 80s person there. The Title of Prom King went to Jamie Jacobs of I-95 Muscle and Prom Queen went to Brenda Leidholdt with BluSky Restoration Contractors, LLC.