SCRTC is business of the quarter
By PJ Martin, Office/News Reporter, Metcalfe Division
The last Edmonton Metcalfe County Chamber of Commerce quarterly breakfast of 2018 was held on Tuesday, December 4 at Leftwich House in Bowling Park. It was a full house with over 80 attending.
The award for business of the quarter went to South Central Rural Telephone Cooperative (SCRTC). Chamber President Jamie Parke presented the award stating that SCRTC has always supported Metcalfe County and the Chamber with donations, mini phone books, items for gift baskets, and many other things.
SCRTC Marketing Director Becky Williams thanked the Chamber, “I do appreciate Metcalfe County and the Edmonton area. I have always loved coming over for school functions, reality stores, and everything. It’s a great community and I am very, very close to it and love it.”
Jeff Eaton, General Manager SCRTC began by saying, “On behalf of our board and our employees, we want to say thank you.” He stated that Metcalfe might be (he wasn’t 100% sure) the only county where South Central serves the entire county. “We do say thank you and it’s always a pleasure to be here.”
Parke pointed out how fortunate the county is to have high speed internet available through South Central RTC. Eaton added that work is being done to update everyone to fiber optic cable. “We are doing as much as we can. We do about 300 miles a year. We hope to have the rest of the area built out, not Edmonton, but the entire rural area, probably in the next 3 to 5 years.”
Edmonton State Bank sponsored the breakfast and representing them were Howard Garrett and Freeda Reece. Edmonton State Bank was established in 1895 according to Garrett who presented a little bank information. The Chairman of the Board is Johnnie Thompson, his son, David Thompson is the President and the 4th generation of the Thompson family. Currently, the 5th generation is also working in the organization. As of January 1, 2018, the bank held assets of 494 million dollars and is located in five counties, Metcalfe, Barren, Allen, Monroe, and Warren.
Freeda Reece added that “Howard and I have grown up at the Edmonton State Bank. We’ve been there basically all our lives and we have seen a lot of changes. He and I total have over 90 years at the Edmonton State Bank. We appreciate being the sponsor today and Merry Christmas everyone.”
Program speakers for the morning were from the Metcalfe County Public Library. Director Rhonda Glass and Hailey Shirley, Outreach Services Coordinator. Glass related the somewhat comical stories of the first fax machine and computer at the library and the excitement that surrounded them.
She also provided some history and an overview of the services it provides to the county. Last year the library checked out 31,000 books, 10,000 eBooks, and they have 15 public computers. “Through a partnership with Kentucky Libraries Unbound we have access to 141,000 eBooks,” exclaimed Glass.
Shirley spoke about the many community programs, “We recently partnered with the Metcalfe County Middle School and we provided every student with a [library] card.” She also delivers books to the school and students can use the book return located there.
Director Glass proudly stated, “We like making a difference in the lives of the people of Metcalfe County.”
As with previous events, Diane’s Cakes and Catering prepared a delicious breakfast. The door prizes were donated by Edmonton State Bank.
Business of the quarter SCRTC – accepting the award are Becky Williams and Jeff Eaton pictured with Chamber President Jamie Parke.
Freeda Reece representing Edmonton State Bank.
Guest speakers Hailey Shirley and Rhonda Glass from the Metcalfe County Public Library.
