The Franklin Chamber of Commerce celebrated the city’s progress despite the pandemic during its first in-person luncheon in a year.
The annual gathering of chamber members and city officials was held virtually in 2021.
Though it has been a challenging last two years, all 404 Franklin Chamber members managed to keep their businesses afloat during the pandemic and maintain membership, said Rosie Chambers, Franklin Chamber executive director.
The highlight of last year for the Franklin Chamber was the launch of their new website, which Chambers said is a slice-of-life view of the city that is intended to be a resource for both businesses and residents. The page’s community calendar brings together all types of events in the city — government meetings, school activities, festivals, concerts, business events, Franklin Chamber events and more.
The gathering featured Mayor Steve Barnett’s State of the City address as the keynote. Before Barnett’s speech, Chambers and the Franklin Chamber’s Board President Kristen Loy gave out three annual awards honoring an outstanding individual, business and organization.
This year’s Community Service Award went to Kathy Ballou for her hard work bringing the Wall That Heals to Franklin. Ballou worked for two years on the project to bring the traveling Vietnam War Memorial to the city.
She raised $68,000, recruited 110 people to set up and tear down the wall at the Johnson County Fairgrounds, and 250 volunteers to watch the wall 24/7 for the duration of the June 2021 event.
“It took a lot of people, resources and a vision to bring The Wall That Heals to our community. We are proud to acknowledge and thank (Ballou) for leading the efforts to bring The Wall That Heals to Franklin,” Loy said.
Ballou undertook this effort hoping to share the wall with people who couldn’t make it to see the real wall in Washington, D.C. due to their health or finances, she said. She never dreamed it would have as big of an impact as it did on so many people.
While the wall was in Franklin, 11,361 attendees from around Indiana and beyond visited the memorial.
“I was extremely flabbergasted. I had no idea it would turn out to be such a big thing,” Ballou said.
Money that was raised in excess of what was needed to fund the wall was given to Medical Mutts, an Indianapolis service dog trainer, to provide a scholarship to Johnson County veterans who need a service dog, she said.
Ballou’s work for veterans isn’t stopping with the wall, she said.
This year’s Community Impact Award went to the Franklin Development Corporation. The award goes to a business or organization that has demonstrated outstanding business success in the areas of growth, stability and commitment to quality of life and overall contributions to the community.
The FDC fits that bill due to the work it has done to fix up dilapidated properties and provide grant funds and loans to help residents and businesses do the same, Loy said.
The corporation is funded with tax increment financing funding from the Franklin Redevelopment Commission, as well as interest income generated from the loans.
“FDC has partnered with a total of 221 property owners on renovation projects, resulting in the noticeable change to the aesthetics of Franklin’s residential and business communities as well as increased economic impact as more and more people choose to live, work and play in our city,” Loy said.
The Historic Artcraft Theatre received the Chamber’s Business Hall of Fame Award. The award is given to a business or organization that has been in operation for at least 25 years, based on their success, growth and stability, commitment to quality and overall commitment to the community.
With the investment Franklin Heritage, Inc. has put into the 100-year-old theater, it more than makes the cut, Chambers said.
Director Rob Shilts, staff and volunteers are recognized for their work keeping the theater thriving as it enters its second century.
“In its 100-year existence, the theater has hosted countless first dates, gatherings of friends and family, and entertained thousands,” Loy said. “Since purchasing the theater in 2004, Franklin Heritage, Inc. has worked toward renovating and restoring the art deco movie house to be a destination for moviegoers and an inspiration for preservation-minded organizations across the country.”
Jeff Dutton was also honored for his service as the Franklin Chamber’s board president in 2021. He has helped in many ways during his six years of service to the board, but this year as president, he was instrumental in implementing the Franklin Chamber’s new website and becoming the first board president to serve as an event volunteer, she said.
