The Chamber’s annual Winter Banquet and Awards Program will be held Thursday at the Holiday Inn and Austin Conference Center. The event, which focuses on member recognition, is the largest Chamber gathering of the year with nearly 300 people expected to attend.

This year’s theme is Growing Mower, and the program will feature businesses and individuals who are making a difference in our community. Twelve business members will be recognized as this year’s Business of the Year nominees, and several others will be honored for outstanding service to the Chamber and business community. Business award nominees will be featured during the program. This year’s nominees include:

The Hormel Institute, University of

Minnesota; Dr. Zigang Dong, Executive

Director

Healing Palms Massage and Spa,

Naomi Thompson, Owner.

Cooperative Response Center, Inc.,

Todd Penske, President and CEO.

Quizno’s Subs, Marlene and Norm

Blaser, owners

Island Pool & Spa, Tim and Sue

Wiersma, owners.

Wal-Mart, Lee Kruse, Store Manager.

The Edge Salon, Sharon Teigen,

owner

MJ Flaherty Paint, Mike and Mary

Lynn Flaherty, owners

Community Bank Austin, Bob

Cooper, President and CEO

Ameriprise—Davis, Thoen, Kramer

and Associates; Web Davis, Greg

Thoen, Randy Kramer.

Lefty’s Bar, Jeff Daily, owner.

Parenting Resource Center-Seibel

Center, Maryanne Law, Executive Director.