John Coffelt, Editor

 Great Lakes Cheese was named Industry of the Year during the Manchester Chamber of Commerce 49^th annual gala held Jan. 23 at the Manchester Coffee County Conference Center.

 “We are excited to be part of the community. We are excited to continue to figure out ways that we can partner and further support the community. And we love the love that we are getting back from them,” said Great Lake Cheese Manchester Plant Manager Dawn Butcher. 

 Common John Brewing Company was named Business of the Year.

 “Who would have thought some years ago they would be making beer in a shop in Manchester,” said CJBC Vice President Renee Haggard. “We’ve been blessed. We are humble and we appreciate your support and our team. We are eternally grateful.”  

 CJBC’s LeBron Haggard said, “It took a lot of hard work and it’s nice to be honored this way. I don’t know that we would have ever thought that this would have happened.”  

  Fibrenew Murfreesboro-East was Small Business of the Year.

 “It’s a lot of hard work and dedication for four and a half years,” said Fibrenew owner Josh Taylor. “Being a part of the chamber was a major part. It helps us get good connections with local business to boost our business.” 

 This year’s Wayne Bramblett Award winner was Bud Riddle.

 “I knew Wayne very well,” Riddle said. “We had a lot of good times; this is really great. I thank my family, my friends – everybody.”

 “This means a whole lot,” Riddle said. “He was a great guy and a great person for the town and the community.”   

 High Cotton Vintage Home Furnishings was awarded the Manchester Tourism Commission’s Community Partner Award.

 “(High Cotton) is a shining example of how dedication to community and commerce creates critical effect that goes far beyond local sales,” Mayor Joey Hobbs said. 

 2024 Chamber President Misty Weaver handed over the presidential gavel to incoming Chamber President Holly Peterson during the ceremony and 2025 Board of Directors were installed. Brad Goodwin was named Roger Dotson Board Member of the Year and Kate Bryant was awarded Ambassador of the Year. 

 Coffee County Manchester Youth Librarian Daphanie Gragg received the Chamber Spotlight Award. 

John has been with the Manchester Times since May 2011. John has won Tennessee Press Association awards for Best News Photo and placed in numerous other categories. John is a 1994 graduate of Tullahoma High School, a graduate of Motlow State Community College and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Middle Tennessee State University. He lives in Tullahoma, enjoys painting, dancing and exploring the outdoors.