GENTRY -- It was a full house at the 2024 Business and Community Reception held April 9 in the McKee Community Room of the Gentry Public Library. In addition to the good food, attendees were updated on the Downtown Revitalization Plan developed for Gentry by McClelland Engineering and heard about the many new businesses in the city.
Awards were presented to Miriam Yoder and Honeywheat Bakery, as well as to Grand Savings Bank, as Gentry's Businesses of the Year. The Organization of the Year Award went to the Children and Family Advocacy Center of Benton County, which has a center in Gentry serving the west side of the county.
Chris Bakunas and Emily Booth of McClelland Engineering shared conceptual drawings and updates on plans for revitalizing Gentry's downtown area. While the plans are not set in stone, they are a guideline for future improvements to the downtown area to make Gentry's Main Street a drawing point for businesses and residents. The plan will also aid the city and business owners in the grant application process.
Conceptual drawings and charts were posted on easels and the wall in the Community Room to help attendees visualize the plans for downtown.
Janie Parks welcomed attendees and told them about the many new businesses that have recently opened in the city. Kevin Johnston, Gentry's mayor, and Delia Haak, state representative, also spoke briefly at the event.
The event made it possible for city residents and business owners to view plans and share thoughts and ideas relating to Gentry's future growth and development. It also brought together Gentry residents, leaders, and business owners and gave them an opportunity to visit and strengthen community bonds.
Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer
Attendees at the Gentry Chamber of Commerce Business and Community Reception, held April 9 in the McKee Community Room at Gentry Public Library, listened attentively to Janie Parks as she presented information at the special event.
Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer
Natalie Tibbs, executive director of the Children and Family Advocacy Center of Benton County, speaks of the Gentry Center's importance after receiving the Organization of the Year Award at the Gentry Chamber of Commerce Business and Community Reception held April 9 in the McKee Community Room at Gentry Public Library.
Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer
Stephanie Guinn of Grand Savings Bank in Gentry holds the Business of the Year award presented to the bank at the Gentry Chamber of Commerce Business and Community Reception, which was held on April 9 in the McKee Community Room at Gentry Public Library.
Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer
Chamber director Janie Parks (left) presented the Business of the Year Award to Miriam Yoder and Honeywheat Bakery at the Gentry Chamber of Commerce Business and Community Reception held April 9 in the McKee Community Room at Gentry Public Library.
Randy Moll/Westside Eagle Observer
Attendees at the Gentry Chamber of Commerce Business and Community Reception held April 9 in the McKee Community Room at Gentry Public Library could view artist conceptions for the future of Gentry's Main Street. An update of Gentry's downtown revitalization project was given to those in attendance by Chris Bakunas and Emily Booth of McClelland Engineering.