We Believe Celebrations Matter!
At the Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce, we believe every milestone deserves to be celebrated. Whether it's a grand opening, a major anniversary, a new achievement, or simply recognizing the hard work that happens every day, we're proud to celebrate the businesses and individuals who make our community stronger.
Our members are the heart of Atmore. From businesses that have served our community for generations to new entrepreneurs bringing fresh ideas to town, each one plays an important role in our local economy. Every business is unique, and our goal is to support and recognize our members in ways that are meaningful to them.
Throughout the year, we celebrate our members through a variety of programs and recognition opportunities because we believe success is worth celebrating—big and small.
RIBBON CUTTINGS
Whether you're opening a new business, celebrating an expansion, relocating, or marking a major milestone, we're excited to celebrate with you! Ribbon cuttings are one of our favorite ways to welcome new businesses and recognize important achievements. Chamber Ambassadors, board members, local officials, and fellow community members join us to celebrate your success and help share your exciting news throughout the community.
BUSINESS OF THE MONTH
Each month, the Atmore Area Chamber Board of Directors recognizes one outstanding member as our Business of the Month. This honor is awarded to a business that has gone above and beyond for our community, demonstrated exceptional support of the Chamber, or consistently conducts business in a way that deserves special recognition.
Our Business of the Month receives a custom recognition sign displayed in front of their business throughout the month. We also stop by with balloons to celebrate, snap a photo, and give them a special spotlight on our social media pages and in our weekly newsletter. It's our way of saying thank you to the businesses that help make Atmore such a great place to live, work, and do business.
MEMBER OF THE WEEK
Each week, we highlight one of our Chamber members by stopping by with a few goodies, taking a photo, and featuring them on our social media pages and in our weekly newsletter. Showing our members that we see them, appreciate them, and love what they're doing is one of our favorite things to do.
This initiative helps bring awareness to the many outstanding Chamber member businesses in our community while giving them an opportunity to showcase their products, services, and unique story. It's one more way we're helping connect our members with the community and celebrating all they have to offer.
MORE THAN MEMBERSHIP
Throughout the year, we look for meaningful ways to support and encourage our members. Whether we're surprising city employees with popsicles on a hot summer day, "popping by" businesses with popcorn to check in, recognizing festive storefronts through our decorating contests, or simply stopping in to say hello, we believe the little things help build strong relationships and an even stronger community.
CITIZEN OF THE YEAR 2026- Jodi James
The Citizen of the Year Award is a very special honor given each year at our Chamber Gala meant to recognize individuals, not for a particular year of volunteer service, but rather recognize a person who has performed outstanding and dedicated volunteer service to the community and/or towards helping others over time separate from their employment responsibilities. It may be presented to living persons or posthumously. This award differs in that the recipients are individuals whose service to the community has been so significant in civic, economic development, political, educational, and/or religious activities over a sustained period of time that the history of the Atmore Area could not be written reasonably without their inclusion.
BUSINESS OF THE YEAR 2026- The Warehouse Market & Bakery
The Business of the Year has demonstrated how they stand out from the crowd in our community including ambition, profitability, growth, sound business planning, customer satisfaction, and management of people – they have a “Wow Factor” that is worth celebrating. This business must (1) be in good standing as a member of the Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce, (2) be established locally in the same business for at least 5 years, and (3) demonstrate community leadership by participating in community activities and contribution of their time, effort and resources, (4) demonstrate exemplary business practices, including the use of quality products and/or services and conducting business in a facility with an attractive image, (5) demonstrate growth and profitability, (6) reflect leadership and community involvement through volunteer, contributions or in-kind services, (8) Demonstrate the entrepreneurial spirit.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD 2026- Jim Staff
Through this award, we seek to identify a leader whose long-term active engagement in our community has had a significant, positive economic impact locally. A Lifetime Achievement Award winner is a successful leader in a company, industry, and in our community. Further, the Lifetime Award allows us to recognize a true pillar who will teach future generations by example. This award recognizes contributions over the entirety of a career and life, rather than, or in addition to, a single contribution.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT BUSINESS AWARD 2026- David's Catfish House- Atmore
Through this award, we seek to identify a business whose long-term active engagement in our community has had a significant, positive economic impact locally. A Lifetime Business Award winner is a successful business leader in both industry and our community. Further, the Lifetime Business Award allows us to recognize a true pillar who will teach future generations by example. The nominee must (1) be established locally in the same business for at least 10-15 years cumulatively, (2) demonstrate community leadership by participating in community activities and contributing their time, effort, and resources, and (4) demonstrate exemplary business practices, including the use of quality products and/or services and conducting business in a facility with an attractive image, (5) demonstrates growth and profitability, (6) reflect leadership and community involvement through volunteer, contributions or in-kind services, (8) demonstrate the entrepreneurial spirit.
NON-PROFIT OF THE YEAR AWARD 2026- Pride of Atmore
The Non-Profit of the Year has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to serving our community and keeping Atmore at the heart of everything they do. Through their programs, services, and outreach efforts, they have made a meaningful and lasting impact on the lives of others while strengthening our community. This organization must (1) make a positive impact through its programs, services, or outreach efforts, (2) demonstrate a strong commitment to its mission and consistently work toward fulfilling its goals, (3) work collaboratively with other non-profits, businesses, or community organizations to strengthen its impact, (4) show growth, adaptability, or creativity in addressing community needs, and (5) exemplify leadership and service by helping make Atmore a better place to live, work, and serve.