Chamber banquet celebrates year of success and growth

The Aurora Chamber of Commerce celebrated a year of growth and success Thursday, hosting its annual banquet at the Bremer Center.
Numerous businesses and individuals were recognized for outstanding achievement, with Chamber staff and board members also highlighting a busy year of community events and activities.
“Thank you all for joining us tonight to celebrate another remarkable year,” said Justise Rhoden, the Chamber’s executive director during her opening remarks. “This evening is not just about reflecting on our accomplishments but also about honoring the businesses, organizations and individuals who make this community so special.”
The year 2024 brought many changes to the community, Rhoden noted.
“In the heart of Aurora, we saw the downtown revitalization grant take off, allowing several businesses to improve awnings, signs, and facades, further beautifying our historic downtown,” she said. “As the year progresses, we’ll continue to see more businesses make these significant upgrades.”
On Highway 14, ground was broken for the Mission Critical Subdivision, paving the way for new businesses to call Aurora home. 
“This exciting development is a testament to the ambition and vision of our local business leaders,” she said. “Along with the expansion of housing on the west side of town, Aurora will hit that 5,000 residents goal very soon, I feel.”
Rhoden also cited significant milestones reached during the past year. Hamilton Telecommunications completed its direct fiber access project, bringing cutting-edge connectivity to the area. Aurora Mall marked 50 years of business, and Interstate Battery also celebrated 50 years of success. 
“These milestones are a testament to the incredible longevity, adaptability, and dedication of our local businesses,” she said.
This past year, the Aurora Chamber of Commerce prioritized advocacy at the local level, ensuring many voices were heard at the table. Rhoden reported that initiatives were also launched to support local businesses, including the “Keep the Cheer Here” campaign during the holiday season. “This campaign reminded us all of the importance of shopping local, which not only keeps our small businesses thriving but strengthens the heart of our community,” she said. “I’m thrilled to share that it brought in over 2,000 new contacts, opening doors for year-round engagement and more opportunities to showcase what makes Aurora’s businesses so exceptional.” 
While preparing for the annual banquet, a board member came across a letter from Mayor Sharp, written 100 years ago when Aurora was just under 3,000 residents. In it, he described Aurora as the “ideal little city,” celebrating its rich agricultural heritage, strong community values, and progressive spirit. 
“Those words are as true today as they were then,” Rhoden said. “Our agricultural roots remain strong, and we’re proud to be the headquarters to a nationally recognized cooperative. But we’re also seeing incredible innovation — new technologies, partnerships, and ideas are pushing us forward in ways that keep us competitive and progressive.”
Aurora’s location was another point of pride for Mayor Sharp, Rhoden shared, and while railroads were key then, today the community benefits from our proximity to I-80, Highway 14 and Highway 34, which continues to attract businesses and connects Aurora to markets across the country.
“At the heart of it all is our local businesses,” she continued. “Whether long-standing staples or new ventures, they embody the welcoming, collaborative spirit that defines Aurora. Even our largest businesses are local to Aurora and Hamilton County with us being the home of two headquarters that touch people all across the United States. No matter where you go, you’ll find people who know your name, ready to help, and committed to keeping our community strong.”
Looking toward the future, Rhoden said she’s excited to see how the community continues building on this year’s successes. 
“For 2025, we are focusing more on connecting with all of you and your businesses as we are excited to share that we will be launching our new website very soon,” she said. “With that we want to create an easier way for you to use your benefits at the Chamber along with driving more traffic to our community to support you and all your growth.”
Award winners
Several award winners were recognized during the banquet. This year’s honorees included: 
Blair Shearer and Jake Richardson, who were named Ambassadors of the Year;
The Aurora Mall, which was named Civic Business of the Year;
Justin Makovicka, who received the Rising Star Award as owner of Makovicka Welding;
Jannelle Seim, who was named Community Leader of the Year;
Hairy Situations and owner Jodi Powers, who earned recognition as Small Business of the Year;
The Aurora Cooperative, which was named Large Business of the Year.