Fossil Basin Chamber presents eight awards during annual Gala
By Duke Dance
September 9, 2025
Vance McGahey (right) holds awards for Citizen of the Year and Volunteer Spirit that were given to him during the 2025 Fossil Basin Chamber Gala. Courtesy photo.
The Fossil Basin Chamber of Commerce presented five businesses and three community groups/individuals with awards during their second annual Fundraiser Gala. The event, which was held September 6 at the South Lincoln Training and Events Center, hosted roughly 150 people from the southern Lincoln County area.
Nicole Anderson, Treasurer for the chamber, said nominations for the awards were submitted in advance, followed by a two week voting period. “Those who were nominated for a business award were required to be members of the chamber,” noted Anderson. “If they were not a member, they were contacted and invited to be a member if they so chose. If they chose not to, they were then considered for one of the community awards.”
Recipients of the various awards are as follows:
Business of the Year Award: Anderson Tax & Consulting
Awarded to the Chamber Member that exemplifies all-around excellence in business operations, leadership, integrity, and community involvement. This business sets the standard and represents what it means to be a cornerstone of the local economy.
Awarded to the Chamber Member that exemplifies all-around excellence in business operations, leadership, integrity, and community involvement. This business sets the standard and represents what it means to be a cornerstone of the local economy.
Community Impact Award: Willow Springs
Recognizes a Chamber Member that has made a powerful, positive difference in the community through ongoing support, sponsorships, outreach, or charitable involvement. This award honors businesses that go beyond profits and give back consistently to the people and causes around them.
Recognizes a Chamber Member that has made a powerful, positive difference in the community through ongoing support, sponsorships, outreach, or charitable involvement. This award honors businesses that go beyond profits and give back consistently to the people and causes around them.
Excellence in Service Award: In Stone Fossils
Recognizes a business that goes above and beyond in providing outstanding customer service. This nominee consistently delivers a professional, kind, and reliable experience, building lasting trust and loyalty among their customers and clients.
Recognizes a business that goes above and beyond in providing outstanding customer service. This nominee consistently delivers a professional, kind, and reliable experience, building lasting trust and loyalty among their customers and clients.
Employer of the Year Award: Bomgaars
Recognizes a business that provides an exceptional workplace culture and support for its employees. This business values its team, promotes growth, and leads by example in how it treats and empowers its workforce.
Recognizes a business that provides an exceptional workplace culture and support for its employees. This business values its team, promotes growth, and leads by example in how it treats and empowers its workforce.
Legacy Business Award: Neilson’s Furniture
Celebrates a long-standing Chamber Member (10+ years of business) that has contributed to the community through decades of reliable service, leadership, and business excellence. This business has stood the test of time and continues to play a meaningful role in our area’s success.
Celebrates a long-standing Chamber Member (10+ years of business) that has contributed to the community through decades of reliable service, leadership, and business excellence. This business has stood the test of time and continues to play a meaningful role in our area’s success.
Citizen of the Year [Community Award]: Vance McGahey
Awarded to an individual who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, service, and dedication to the betterment of our community. This person’s selfless efforts and positive impact make them a role model and trusted figure in the community.
Awarded to an individual who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, service, and dedication to the betterment of our community. This person’s selfless efforts and positive impact make them a role model and trusted figure in the community.
Volunteer Spirit Award [Community Award]: Vance McGahey
Recognizes someone who goes above and beyond in giving their time, energy, and heart to volunteer work. This person consistently steps up to help others—often behind the scenes—and plays a vital role in making events, programs, or services possible.
Recognizes someone who goes above and beyond in giving their time, energy, and heart to volunteer work. This person consistently steps up to help others—often behind the scenes—and plays a vital role in making events, programs, or services possible.
Nonprofit/Organization of the Year [Community Award]: Hamsfork Museum
Honors a nonprofit or community organization that has made a significant and lasting impact through its mission, programs, and outreach. This award highlights groups that uplift the community, support those in need, or create meaningful opportunities for residents.
Honors a nonprofit or community organization that has made a significant and lasting impact through its mission, programs, and outreach. This award highlights groups that uplift the community, support those in need, or create meaningful opportunities for residents.
The Gala is the main fundraiser for the Fossil Basin Chamber of Commerce. According to Anderson, just under $15,000 of total profit was raised from the event through sponsorship revenue and ticket sales. “We plan to use the bulk of the funds to create a resource hub for local business and non-profits. Someplace that owners and managers can find multiple resources to help them operate a business. Whether it be payroll, taxes, management, etc. We are really going to focus on networking and education in the upcoming year.”
“It was an amazing evening to see people come together and celebrate what our business community is and has to offer,” Anderson said of the evening. “And to showcase some of the non-profits that are constantly working so hard for our community. It was just amazing to come together and honor and support each other.”
For those interested in joining the Fossil Basin Chamber of Commerce, Anderson reiterated the you do not have to be a business to participate. “Any individual can support the chamber. You can come out to the Gala next year. We are also always looking for volunteers. The more volunteers we have the more we are going to be able to do. And not just for businesses, but for community events. If all you have is just an hour per month, even an hour per year, whatever you can give.”
The Fossil Basin Chamber of Commerce serves all of southern Lincoln County. They can be reached out fossilbasinchamber@gmail.com, (307) 466-3034 or at fossilbasinchamber.org.
Nicole Anderson (left) and Jenee Rudy (right) with Anderson Tax and Consulting, which was named the Business of the Year. Courtesy photo
Todd Moores (left) with Willow Springs Water stands with Nicole Anderson (right). Willow Springs was given the Community Impact Award. Courtesy photo.
Members of the community enjoying the Fossil Basin Chamber of Commerce Gala. Courtesy photo.
