ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — The Central Baldwin Chamber of Commerce held its “Geared for Growth” banquet last Thursday at the Baldwin County Coliseum.

While it was a time to honor people and businesses who have been of service to their community, Chamber President Marion Mason had one joking question for all who attended — when will the building be ready?

The building in question is the new Chamber offices along Highway 59 in Robertsdale.

According to Robertsdale city officials, it will take about four to six weeks to complete the new building and install all the finishing touches.

They are so close, the Robertsdale officials surprised outgoing Chamber president Peggy Nelson with an outsized “key” to the new building.

“We know you’ve been looking for this,” said Robertsdale Mayor Charles Murphy as he presented the key to Nelson.

The evening was a time to congratulate members (or “Investors” as they are now called) on work well done. It was also a time to look to the future.

Mason outlined some key points of the Chamber’s “program of work,” the framework for next year’s Chamber activities. Mason said the program was developed after polling the Chamber’s investors.

“The program involves financial management, recruiting new businesses, researching and implementing beautification plans for our communities, and gearing business seminars to the needs of investors,” said Mason.

“What we can do is get a plan in place now so that we are positioned and we are ready when the economy takes a turn upward," Mason said.

Several awards were presented.

The Woman of the Year was Sylvia Mattingly, who who was recognized for more than 30 years of service last year when Baldwin Youth Services named their home for girls in Silverhill for her.

Mattingly has also been active in the Chamber and Robertsdale Rotary, Club Kathy Fleet, winner of last year’s “Woman of the Year” award, presented the award to Mattingly.

Man of the Year was Walter Penry, who served six terms representing Baldwin County in the Alabama House of Representatives. According to Steve Grant, the 2007 award winner, Penry shepherded legislation for repairs to the area after Hurricane Frederic. He also helped establish the Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve.

Volunteer of the Year: Kay Arnette, who has been active in many chamber and community activities, especially the Chamber’s “Flavors of the South” event.

Business awards were selected by the communities, and the mayors of each city or town presented them. The winners were: Summerdale — Palm Lake Resort. Loxley — Citizens’ Bank. Robertsdale — Waters Corner. Silverhill — Advantage Business Solutions.

Jamie Hardy, 2009 board chairman, cautioned investors that it would take a lot of hard work to make the coming year as good as the past one, especially with the faltering economy.

"We as a Chamber do understand what the predictions are for the next year and where the economy is headed as far as the predictions go," Hardy said. "That's just going to make the Chamber and its staff and its board of directors work that much harder for you because we understand that it's more important now than ever."

Attendees at the dinner had a chance to vote on a number of centerpieces created by local companies. RBC Bank’s entry took first prize and the local branch won an advertising package from the Chamber.

Chamber members leaving the Board of Directors were honored. According to the Chamber Web site, they are: Dennis Stastka of Stastka Insurance, Joe Allen of RBC Bank, Greg Gipson of Baldwin EMC, Donna Gates of Woerner Group Resources, Inc., Wanda Taylor of Castlebrook Counseling and Ruthie Campbell of Cruise Away.

New members of the 2009 Board of Directors include: Alan Schott of Baldwin EMC, Anita Waters of Capella Salon, Jared Lyles of Lyles Law Firm, Jennifer Cook of RBC Bank, Tina Byrd of Pawsitive Cuts and Tommy Herndon of Golden Living Center.

Remaining Board members include: 2009 Chairman Jamie Hardy of Neuschwander, Faircloth & Hardy, 2009 Past Chair Peggy Nelson of Regions Bank, 2009 Chair Elect Joseph Shaw of Shaw Law Firm, Barbara Boller of Focus Public Relations, Michelle Bodle of The Insurance Center, Sean McClay of Edwards Jones Investments, Linda Buck of Bryant Bank, Chris Bonner of Riviera Utilities, Eric Mosley of Hemophilia Infusion Managers, Mike Kelso of Bestsouth, LLC, Lenora Kendrick of Gruenloh & Associates and Theresa Bryant of Robertsdale High School.

Board members representing municipalities include: Katina Griffin with the City of Robertsdale, Beryl Allen with the Town of Loxley and Mary deLaunay with the Town of Silverhill. The Town of Summerdale has not named a representative as of this writing.

The Chamber also unveiled a new logo and tag line, “connecting business with community.” The new logo, created by Diane Middleton-Vogel of Loxley’s Graphic Penguin design company features cool blues and greens.

“We’re going to be seeing a lot of that logo,” predicted Mason.