Columbia Chamber of Commerce to honor local businesses

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One individual, two business and several new construction projects will be honored by the Columbia Chamber of Commerce during the 2021 Columbia Impact Awards, to be held virtually on Feb. 18.

John Sacksteder, president of Mark Anthony Brewing, will deliver a keynote address at the event, which begins at 11:30 a.m. Mark Anthony Brewing is building a $400 million production facility in Richland County to help meet demand for its products including White Claw Hard Seltzer and Mike’s Hard Lemonade.

“The Columbia Chamber takes pride in recognizing the outstanding organizations and individuals who work to help the greater Columbia region prosper,” Carl Blackstone, Columbia Chamber president and CEO, said in a news release. “The Columbia Impact Awards recognizes those who go above and beyond in achieving success towards the betterment of Columbia.”

The 2021 awards include:

• The Cathy Novinger Trailblazer Award goes to an individual who has shown exemplary industry leadership, advocates for business and positively affects the community. The 2021 posthumous recipient is Bill Hall, founder of Halls Chophouse, who died in August 2020. Halls opened a downtown Columbia location in December 2018.
• Pendleton Street Advisors, a financial planning firm, will be recognized as the Small Business of the Year for growth and achievement that benefits the business community, while TD Bank will receive an award for diversity and inclusion.
• The Golden Nail Award is given to businesses or property owners for cosmetic or commercial contributions to the physical character of the greater Midlands region through restoration of a facade or historic building or repurposing of a blighted space. 2021 recipients are: the Holiday Inn on Washington Street, Market on Main, Oliver Gospel Roastery, Richland Library, Southeastern Esthetics Institute, and The Woody.