Chamber names Business, Nonprofit of the Year

The Wimberley Valley Chamber of Commerce announced the business and nonprofit of the year awards. A Studio Z was named the Business of the Year and the KWVH Wimberley Valley Radio was named the Nonprofit of the Year.

A Studio Z provides a full range of design and printing services to the Wimberley Valley.

“It was a surprise,” Russell Cox, who owns A Studio Z with his wife Amy, said. “We’ve been around since 1995, and I think we’ve been chamber members since 2000. It is always nice to be honored by your peers.”

Wimberley Valley Radio originated following the Memorial Day Weekend Flood in 2015. In just a few short years, the radio station has now been honored twice as the chamber of commerce’s Nonprofit of the Year.

“We are thrilled to be recognized,” Tim Kiesling, general manager of Wimberley Valley Radio, said. “It is the second time the station has been honored with this award. We feel that our mission to serve the community starts with our nonprofit services as a nonprofit and also as one that services (other nonprofits)… Whatever you need, we are here to help. That is how we approach what we are doing, and I feel like it is very much a direct reflection of that attitude and spirit that helped us win this award.”

Tonda Frady was named the chamber’s Volunteer of the Year.

The chamber also recognized businesses that have been a member for more than 20 years, which included A Studio Z, among many others.

“The chamber wouldn’t be where we are today without the people who were early adopters who felt it was important for this community to join the chamber,” Chamber Executive Director Michaelanne Hurst said.

The keynote speaker of the meeting was Adrianna Cruz, Executive Director of Economic Development & Tourism for the office of Governor Greg Abbott. Cruz spoke on the economics of the Hill Country including the massive growth that is occurring throughout Hays County and beyond.

“She talked about all of these Fortune 500s that are coming in, which have brought thousands of jobs,” Hurst said. “Texas is really working hard to get these small and medium sized businesses here so they can thrive and not have to deal with as many regulations.”

Cruz also mentioned that the Wimberley Valley will continue to see economic growth, but the immediate local economy is more geared towards tourism and is interested in finding ways to help fill rooms Sunday through Wednesday.