Nixa chamber honors businesses at annual event

The Nixa Area Chamber of Commerce last month honored businesses, individuals and a nonprofit during its annual Nixie Awards.

The top business awards went to Nixa Dry Cleaners and Laundry and Xtreme Exteriors, according to a news release. The awards honoring the businesses and their owners – Laysa Putnam of Nixa Dry Cleaners and Summer and Hunter Lampe of Xtreme Exteriors – were presented Feb. 23 at Bridge Church in Nixa.

Nixa Dry Cleaners was named Small Business of the Year, with Xtreme Exteriors picking up Large Business of the Year honors.

"In a year of change, we are so proud of ... how they found ways to strive and grow," Nixa chamber President and CEO Chris Russell said in the release. "These winners were among the many who deserved special recognition in 2020."

The chamber board selected the Nixie honorees after reviewing more than 40 nominations. The businesses were honored for their economic impact on the community.

The chamber also honored:
• Sheradee Watson of Haymes Insurance Agency as Ambassador of the Year;
• Tricia Chapman of Nixa Public Schools as Individual Member of the Year;
• the Sheradee Watson-Haymes Insurance Agency with The Big Nixie award for most valuable player;
• Heather Jenkins of Jenkins CPA LLC with the Sharon Whitehill Lifetime Achievement Award; and
• Least of These Inc. with the Excellence Award given to nonprofits.