By Kate Gassman
BCR Editor
BENTON HARBOR, MI – Last Friday the Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber of Commerce held their annual meeting and business awards ceremony. One of the largest chambers in the state of Michigan, SMRC encompasses the entire tri-county area, a point of pride for President & CEO Arthur Havlicek.
“When we advocate, we do it together. When we compete, we do it together. When we win, we do it together,” said Havlicek, after announcing SMRC’s absorption of both the Greater Niles Chamber of Commerce and the Buchanan Area Chamber of Commerce.
In his address, Havlicek also noted that Michigan experienced more deaths than births in the last year, meaning chambers of commerce are more vital than ever for the state economy. “Growth in Michigan is no longer automatic. It’s earned,” Havlicek said.
After some board business items, annual awards were given in the areas of Small Business of the Year, Economic Impact, Best New Business, Non-Profit Excellence, Community Impact, Rising Star, Ambassador of the Year, and the Pat Moody Award. Notable wins include the teen entrepreneurs from Zo’s Mini Donuts, recently covered in the BCR for their groundbreaking high school NIL deal.
The Chamber invited Pat Moody himself to present the Pat Moody Award, given to an individual or business who has made their mark in the community. Dr. Megan Yore took home the award this year, Chief Marketing Officer for Sturgis Bank. She has served in a leadership role for over 25 years in the community and practices active volunteerism.
The City of Buchanan won the placemaking award for its large infrastructure project that took the better part of a year to complete. Buchanan Mayor Mark Weedon thanked city leaders and local business investors from the stage for their investment in the town, including The Loading Dock, a large event venue set to open the spring, and McCollum’s, who won the Best New Business award. A full list of winners can be found on the chamber’s website, https://business.smrchamber.com/news/details/southwest-michigan-regional-chamber-announces-2026-business-recognition-award-winners.