Thursday night, the Merrill Chamber of Commerce gathered for its annual celebration and awards, kicking off their 108th year. Since 1911, the Merrill Area Chamber of Commerce has been supporting and working with area businesses to live, work and play.

Each year, Chamber members nominate and vote on the Businesses of the Year. For 2018, the Chamber membership chose Sierra Pacific as the Large Business of the Year, Dave’s County Market as the Mid-size Business of the Year, Kindhearted Home Care as the Small Business of the Year, and Sawmill Brewing Co. as the Hometown Business of the Year. In addition, the Merrill Eagles Club was selected as the Non-profit of the Year. Betsy Wiesneski was chosen as the Chamber’s Ambassador of the Year.

The banquet at Les & Jim’s Lincoln Lanes was attended by about 150 people representing many Merrill area businesses.