The Walker County Chamber of Commerce honored the top three recipients of the Small Business of the Year award at the Walker County Civic Center on Thursday, Jan. 26,

During the event the Jimmy Simpson Foundation was named the winner of the 2012 Small Business of the Year Award.

The Foundation was founded in 1998 and employs 19 full-time and 11 part-time staff. The facility is a non-profit organization, dedicated to serving the community through direct services and education for brain injury.

The Foundation provides a long-term care living environment that maintains quality of life to help foster each individual’s physical, social and emotional abilities in a home-like setting. They help to increase the feelings of success and enhance self-esteem to residents by providing a variety of health, social and related support services.

For the families of those who live at the foundation it is important that they can be confident that the facility provide a living environment in which quality care is given while preserving dignity and confidentiality of each resident.

The organization is also the meeting and support facility for the North Georgia Brain Injury Support Group. Executive director Vickie Hodge said, “It is an honor to receive the 2012 Small Business of the Year Award. The strength of our business is also linked to our involvement with the Walker County Chamber of Commerce. I highly recommend that all small businesses utilize the resources that are available through the Chamber.”

The Bank of LaFayette was named the first runner-up. The bank employs 55 people at three locations, including its main location on the square in LaFayette and branches in West LaFayette and Rock Spring.

The bank was established in 1899 on the square in LaFayette and to this day is committed to serving the needs of the community. These needs range from personal checking and savings for those who live and work in Walker County to providing small and large business loans. The bank is also very civic-minded and supports many organizations throughout Walker County, including United Way groups, the Marsh House, Joe Stock Memorial Park, Chattooga Academy, and the Chamber.

Debbi’s Flowers was named second runner-up. The florist employs three persons in downtown LaFayette.

Debbi’s Flowers is dedicated to providing high-quality floral services that exceed the expectations of its customers. The staff works diligently to ensure that their mission is accomplished with consistency and professionalism. They strive to provide a caring atmosphere for their customers and dedicate themselves to providing the community with the finest professional service, superior quality designs and value.

The business’ civic involvement includes Music on the Square, the LaFayette Merchants Association, and The BEAT. Debbi and Danielle are volunteer coordinators at J103 Christian radio and currently share the title of J103 Volunteer of the Year.

Jack Killian, representing the Chamber’s business and industry committee, announced the winners, acknowledging the true heroes of Walker County’s local economy — small business owners. They provide jobs, take risks, invest money and make the community a better place to live and work.

The Small Business of the Year recipients are selected by the Chamber’s board of directors after going through a nominating process designed by the business and industry committee. The recipients must be members of the Chamber in good standing as of Nov. 29, 2011, with a minimum of one full year in business.

Killian stated during his speech, “We thank each of you for your leadership in showing us how any business, large or small, can make a contribution to its community and economy.”

For more information on the Chamber, call 706-375-7702.