Mar 7, 2026
ABOVE: The 2025 Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce Business of the year winners. From left: Small Business, Visit Fairmont, Brittany Hartman. Large Business, United Hospital District, Miranda Stindtman, Sarah Unke, Dr. Elyse Webster, Jeffon Seely, Melissa Storbeck and Paula Kabe. Rising Star, Fairmont Brewing Company, Bob and Diane Luedtke. Community Champion, Martin County Historical Society, Jeff Sauer.
FAIRMONT–On Friday evening the 2025 businesses of the year were named at the Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual banquet. United Hospital District (large business), Visit Fairmont (small business), Fairmont Brewing Company (rising star) and Martin County Historical Society (community champion) were the honorees.
Up for large business of the year were Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc., TPI Hospitality/Best Western, Kahler Automation, Mayo Clinic Health System, United Hospital District (UHD) and Walmart. Nominated for small business of the year are Aventure Staffing, Doolittle’s Carpet and Paints, City of Lakes Media, Silo ’67 and Visit Fairmont.
Those nominated for the rising star, businesses in their first three years, are Bravo Zulu House, Edman, Edmundson and Odgren, Fairmont Brewing Company, Les Schwab Tire Centers and Recovery in Motion.
Finally, the community champion nominees are Crystal Hanson of South Creek HR, Empower Coalition, Lakeview Methodist Health Care Center, Martin County Historical Society and STEP, Inc.
Speaking of all those who were nominated, Chamber President, Kandi Menne, said, “to me, the awards are very important. They’re voted on by people. Friends, family, business associates, customers and all of those.”
ABOVE: The attendees of the Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual banquet wait for the evening’s entertainment, provided by Parker Williams.
Each of the winners in the four categories received a plaque honoring their place of business.
All in all, about 110 people were in attendance for the event at Fairmont Event Center/ Best Western in Fairmont. The event sponsors were NextEra Energy, Walmart, HyVee, Culligan Water, Mayo Clinic Health System, Best Western and United Hospital District.
A taco bar was served and photos were taken by Prolific Memories. Entertainment for the evening was provided by Parker Williams, a nationally recognized comedian/magician and mentalist.
“We had a fabulous turnout. Great representation of the business community, camaraderie, fun, we did it all,” Menne said.
She noted that about 80 percent of those in attendance were dressed for the theme, beach/lake life.
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