Collinsville Chamber of Commerce issued the following announcement on July 27.
Collinsville Chamber businesses and community have won big in the St. Louis Post Dispatch Best of Southwest Illinois Awards. From Businesses like Best Bakery, won by Collinsville’s Kruta’s Bakery and Best Banquet Facility, won by Gateway Center, to Best Jewelry Store, won by local L.E. Smith Jewelers to Best Bank, won by FCB Banks- Collinsville has a great deal to be proud of with these accolades. In total, Collinsville and Maryville area can account for over 20 of these awards.
“We are honored to be voted the Best Banquet Facility,” said Jamie Lane, Director of Sales & Marketing at Gateway Center. “Our staff works hard every day to impress everyone who walks in our doors. We want our clients and their attendees to enjoy their event experience. Every member of the team for both Gateway Center & Spectra Food Services takes great pride in being recognized for this award”.
Tiger Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning & Electrical Services won big in business with three awards. Their local services were ranked number #1 Plumber, #1 Heating & Cooling Service and #1 Electrician.
Besides local businesses winning awards, Collinsville also had quite a turnout in the categories of Community and People.
The City of Collinsville Fire Department tied with Granite City’s Fire for the Best Fire Department in the area. Collinsville Fire Chief Kevin Edmond attributes that win to his amazing firefighters and staff who put forth the best every day for Collinsville community.
“I’m not surprised Collinsville was voted best Fire Department! Our personnel are dedicated to working together to provide the highest quality service to residents and guests of Collinsville, and the public gets to see that dedication every day.” Chief Edmond stated.
Best Coach award winner went to Collinsville Kahoks coach, Clay Smith with Collinsville Unit 10 School District. “It is an honor to be recognized as the Best of Southwest Illinois. Being voted Top Coach is a result of having a great group of girls as a team. Their hard work and dedication as student-athletes make my job easy!” Smith said.
Holy Cross Lutheran Church and School won an impressive three awards including Best Church, Child Care and Pre-School/Private School.
Voters were asked by the Post-Dispatch to nominate and then vote on their favorites in categories like Businesses, Community, Restaurants, Services and People that spanned counties including Madison, St. Clair, Macoupin and Monroe Counties. At the end of this nomination and voting process, over 100 winners were victorious. For Collinsville, these awards are something to be proud of especially because as a community, they were nominated and voted on by the community, residents and fellow business owners.
Best Public Official winner was also another Collinsville native. Collinsville Township Trustee, Derrick Keith was shocked when he was notified of winning the award.
“With all the much larger political names in Southwest Illinois, I was very shocked. I love Collinsville and it’s my duty to WORK everyday to help make this the best place to live. If you ever have an idea or way that I can help, I want to be your voice”. Keith said.
On Thursday, July 26th, award recipients like the Collinsville Fire Department, Coach Smith, Cahokia Mounds, Pic-A-Place Travel, Madura Concrete, McArthur’s Tae Kwan Do, Brinley Orthodontics, Jim’s Pawn & Jewelry, and Beltline Chiropractic were presented and honored at Gateway Classic Cars in O’Fallon Illinois.
For a complete list of winners and information on St. Louis Post Dispatch Best of Southwest Awards, visit:
Original source can be found here.
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