Presented by the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce and The Forum

From the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce

Since it was established in 1910, the fundamental mission of the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce has been the promotion of local economic prosperity, the advocacy of regional business interests and the celebration of outstanding achievements throughout Northwest Louisiana.

Our Chamber member volunteers and community partners have helped create one of the area’s most successful and robust business networks through our 5-Star accredited Chamber.

The Industry and Top Businesses of the Year luncheon exemplifies the celebration of our regional business successes.

Named and held in honor of the generous industrialist J. Pat Beaird Sr., who dedicated his life to community service in our region, the luncheon offers our Chamber members a time to honor local businesses, which hold to the principles Beaird promoted; real-dollar expansion, community involvement and the creation of new jobs.

At the luncheon, the Chamber honors one outstanding, large-scale business with the Industry of the Year Award. During this year’s ceremony, we are excited to honor Builders Supply Company Inc. with the Industry of the Year Award for their outstanding commitment to Northwest Louisiana and the surrounding region.

In addition to the Industry of the Year Award, our Chamber and its 1,610 members are pleased to honor three local, smaller companies for their achievements over the past several years. This year, our panel of volunteers chose to honor ANECA Federal Credit Union, Ashley’s Building and Construction and Roppolo’s Insulation LLC with the prestigious Small Business of the Year Award. This award, presented by The Forum, highlights the continuing hard-work and dedication of these small businesses and their owners toward the stimulation and growth of our regional economy.

We are very proud to see such wonderful and successful businesses flourishing in our community, and it is an honor to have the privilege to share in the celebration of their successes. America’s entrepreneurs and the small businesses they create are the driving force behind our nation’s economy, and we could not be more pleased to honor their efforts.

The Chamber understands the challenges entrepreneurs and business owners face, and those who rise to that challenge deserve the respect and admiration of the community.

The last state legislative session increased taxes on businesses by $700 million annually.

Important elections will be held this fall, and the Chamber is interviewing candidates, asking challenging questions and we will share their responses with our membership and community. It is essential that we elect legislators supportive of business and the jobs that they provide and who are willing to make structural changes to our state’s budget process.

We offer a special thanks to the Beaird family for their tireless support of the Industry of the Year program and The Forum for the publication’s coverage of the event and our 2015 recipients: Builders Supply, ANECA Federal Credit Union, Ashley’s Building and Construction and Roppolo’s Insulation LLC. Robert L. Dean Chairman of the Board | Heard, McElroy & Vestal Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce