Thursday night ushers in a new year of sorts, at least formembers of the Brookhaven Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce.

The chamber’s annual awards banquet takes place Thursday at 6:30p.m. at the Thames Center at Copiah-Lincoln Community College.Chamber Executive Vice President Cliff Brumfield said it will be,as usual, a night to remember.

“As always we’re presenting our awards and honoring those whohave achieved so much this year through chamber operations andvolunteerism in chamber programs and activities,” he said.

Among the awards given will be the coveted Industry of the Yearand Agri-Business of the Year, as well as the Soapbox Award, whichis given to an individual who has helped encourage and driveprojects through the last year.

“The Soapbox Award is not given every year but is bestowed whenwe have someone who has stood behind our projects and seen themthrough to fruition through years of service and selflessvolunteerism,” Brumfield said.

Brumfield said outgoing chamber President Rob McCreary will alsobe honored, and his successor, Stan Foster of Bank of Brookhaven,will be welcomed in. New board members will be installed, andnumerous other chamber awards will also be presented, he said.

“It’s a great time, and it’s a fast-paced evening,” Brumfieldsaid. “It’s a great social opportunity to visit and network, and wehope to get everyone out a little earlier this year so they can getback home and out of the cold.”

Mississippi School of the Arts will provide the entertainment,Brumfield said. Tickets are available for $25 by calling theChamber of Commerce at (601) 833-1411. Ticket orders must be madeby Wednesday afternoon, Brumfield said.

“We’re looking forward to celebrating our successes through theyear,” Brumfield said. “Even with the national economy like it is,Brookhaven has accomplished many things through 2008, and we’relooking forward to a very productive 2009.”