BENNETTSVILLE — Tuesday evening at the Skye was full of community fellowship and commerce for the Marlboro Chamber’s 2026 annual meeting. Held to celebrate the businesses, organizations, and individuals who help make the Marlboro County business community bloom and thrive, the event was catered by Michael Cain and Family Affair Catering, and the Humane Society of Marlboro County kindly bartended the event. Setting an immediate warm and inviting vibe, guests were welcomed to a transformed Skye overflowing with gorgeous summer sunflowers provided by Rhonda McCrimmon from Simply Blessed Strong Survivors #SBSS.
Several notable awards and recognitions were handed out, celebrating the individuals and entities who make Marlboro County home.
Only the second recipient of the prestigious award, Gage Speight, was awarded Board Member of the Year.
“Over the past year, he has given more of his time, energy, and heart than anyone could reasonably expect. He shows up again and again, often behind the scenes, without recognition and without fanfare,” said the Chamber, adding, “Marlboro County is incredibly fortunate to have him.”
The Marlboro Chamber’s 2026 Business of the Year award went to Cudd’s Insurance for their consistent and positive impacts in the community through its annual Toy Drive and other innumerable acts of kindness they spread throughout the year.
When it came to naming the Chamber’s Businessperson of the Year, they explained the criteria for the award is someone who exemplifies professionalism, integrity, and exceptional customer service. In that light, the Chamber named Matt Kubas as its Businessperson of the Year Award recipient for his outstanding customer service, community involvement, and commitment to helping others.
Each year, the William Light Kinney, Jr. Community Leader Award goes to a person the Chamber identifies as displaying dedication and unfailing support to the community. This year, the award went to local Bennettsville attorney and State Representative for District 54, Jason Luck, for dedicating his time and energy to the betterment of the Marlboro community as a whole.
The Chamber’s Non-Profit of the Year award went to an organization the Chamber says has been and continues to be very active in the community: Simply Blessed Survivors #SBSS. Through food distributions, blessing bags, community outreach, resource referrals, and programs that uplift veterans, senior citizens, foster children, and individuals experiencing homelessness, the organization continues to make a meaningful impact every day among the people they serve.
The Chamber also did not forget the future, recognizing three individuals chosen for scholarships from Marlboro Academy and Marlboro High School: Sarah Grace Smith from Marlboro Academy, LeDarius Brown from Marlboro County High School, and Jayden Williams from Marlboro County High School.
The Scholarship Partners program is made possible through the efforts of Sandhill Connextions, Midley Agency Insurance and Real Estate, Sully Blair- State Farm Agent, Southern Packaging Corporation, The Diary Dream, Pilot Club of Bennettsville, Priority One Home Health Care, Inc., Duke Energy, and Hospice of Scotland County.
Each year, recipients for the award are selected from a strong field of applicants based on their academic dedication, leadership, and commitment to community service.
College bound, Sarah Grace Smith plans to attend Clemson University in the fall, LeDarius Brown plans to attend Columbia College in the fall, and Jayden Williams plans to attend Francis Marion University in the fall.
“A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us for tonight’s Annual Meeting. Your support, involvement, and dedication are what make our Chamber strong and help us continue moving Marlboro County forward,” said the Chamber, adding, “Here’s to another great year of growing connections, supporting local businesses, and building a stronger Marlboro County together.”