CASA Women’s Shelter, M.K. Distributors and Simmons First National Bank have combined for more years of service to Pine Bluff than the city has existed since its incorporation in 1839 – 173 years ago.
The three interests were honored Thursday morning when respectively presented the first-ever Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce Non-Profit, Small and Large Businesses of the Year Awards.
The honors were given during a breakfast kickoff of the chamber’s 25th annual Business Expo at the Pine Bluff Convention Center.
The awards were presented by chamber Chairman Chris Hart and host Robert Dill, who kept a record crowd of 551 entertained with their amusing antics and stories.
Simmons First – ranked among the nation’s leading financial corporations – marked its 109th anniversary March 23, having opened its doors in 1903.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
M.K., which features Budweiser beer and other liquor products, was founded 48 years ago in 1964, but evolved from OK Ice Cream and Candy Co., which started business a century ago in 1912.
CASA, which recently opened a new shelter to highlight its efforts to help adults and children victimized by spouse abuse, is now in its 32nd year of service, having been initiated in 1980.
Add all that time together, and it totals a whopping 285 years.
M.K. President George Makris noted in his remarks that his firm and the other two finalists in the small business category – Ralph Robinson and Son Inc. and Trotter Ford-Lincoln – combined for 297 years.
The other finalists in the non-profit and large business categories, respectively, were Neighbor to Neighbor Inc. and United Way of Southeast Arkansas, and Jefferson Regional Medical Center and Pine Bluff National Bank. Simmons First, JRMC and PBNB have been in operation a joint 258 years.
Chamber members made nominations for the awards in February. They then had the opportunity to vote for winners after the finalists in each division were announced in March.