By RICK KRON
Leader staff writer
Longtime realtor and businessman Jim Peacock received the Pinnacle Award at the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner on Friday night.
Larry Wilson honored Peacock in front of about 200 people.
“This award is not an annual award and in fact it is rarely given by the chamber,” Wilson told the crowd. “But Jim Peacock deserves it for all he has done for the local economy and bringing industry to Jacksonville.”
Specifically, Peacock was honored for his role in bringing Precision Ammo to Jacksonville, which in turn is bringing a Sig Sauer facility to the city that now has three firearms companies looking to come there.
Patrick Franklin was trying to get North Little Rock to allow him to come into that city with Precision Ammo, but the effort turned into a controversy. Peacock stepped in and said Jacksonville would be happy to have them and that there was even an empty ordnance plant building available that produced ammo in World War II.
Wilson said, because of Peacock, Franklin and his business came to the city and Franklin told other manufacturers about the warm welcome and positive dealings.
Wilson said Peacock had a long history of helping the city. “Starting back in 1966, he developed subdivisions and built homes and apartments.”
The banker continued, “Peacock has faithfully served on the planning commission and is in his 20th year with the Jacksonville Water Commission and spent the last seven years as the chairman,” Wilson said.
He added that Peacock’s service to the community has been “very impressive” and brought about “timely and successful efforts, which have and will continue to bring jobs to the area.”
Peacock received a standing ovation as he accepted the award.
In other business, past chamber president Roger Sundermeier and new president Brad West took time at the banquet to emphasize the positive direction of the chamber.
“This past year, the chamber made progress bettering its relationship with the city,” Sundermeier said, adding, “growth doesn’t happen unless seeds are planted.”
He also said that the new school district would be “phenomenal” for the area.
West echoed that, saying the chamber was 100 percent behind the new school district. He’s also pleased with the new highway coming through the city. West added, “An important key to bringing in new families and keeping families is to buy into our businesses, into our effort. If we are all on the same page, working together, our success is guaranteed.”
With 30 new members added in the past year, the chamber now has 351 members, including 290 businesses.
A number of those businesses were honored at the banquet for their service to the chamber and the city.
Receiving five-year pins were Chopsticks International Center, Express Printing, James Gowen State Farm Agency, Mobilized, Inc./Verizon Wireless, Two Sisters Catering, the UPS Store, St. Vincent Family Clinic and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church.
Ten-year awards went to A Hair Gallery, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Fraley Roofing, Jacksonville Splash Car Wash, Mind Over Matter Massage, TruService Community Federal Credit Union, Redmond Road Storage and University of Arkansas at Little Rock AFB.
Members receiving 15-year honors included CenturyLink, Crestview Optical, Immanuel Family Worship Center, Northgate Mini-Storage and Sue Smith Vacations.
Twenty-year honors went to Arvest Bank.
Celebrating 25 years were Eye Physicians and Surgeons, Johnson and Associates PA, S&J Construction Co.
North Pulaski High School was honored for 35 years of service.
At the 40-year mark were Arkansas Federal Credit Union, Jacksonville Guitar Center, Moore’s Jacksonville Funeral Home, Wright’s Cabinets and Zumwalt Enterprise.
Gene Bowman Shelter Insurance was honored for 45 years of service.
