The Grand Coulee Dam Area Chamber of Commerce held their annual Installation Banquet on Monday at the Melody restaurant, presenting awards to the "Business of the Year" and "Achiever of the Year" for 2017.

Lynda Anderson, secretary for the chamber, presented the award for Business of the Year to Jess Ford.

"I've been astounded to watch the support that's come out of this year's business of the year. It's been very good for the chamber, and we're glad to have that kind of relationship," Anderson said. "I watched Garrett [Jess] wash cars to support a golf course tournament and thought, 'there is a community-minded business to support not just the chamber, but other things going on in the community.' I know we picked the right group this year."

"Thanks, everybody; I'm glad to be back in the community where I grew up, being part of the community and being involved," Garrett Jess said.

Kelly Buche won the 2017 Achiever of the Year award as presented by Jerry Sands, the previous year's winner.

"She is heavily involved with the chamber, heavily involved with Run the Dam, she's involved with the color run, she does taxes for a lot of people of the community," Sands said about Buche as he presented her the award.

Achiever of the Year for 2017 Kelly Buche with her award, flanked by husband Brian Buche on the left and Jerry Sands on the right.

"I moved here 17 years ago," Buche said. "From the moment I arrived, I felt welcomed and fell in love with the Coulee and all it has to offer. I don't think there's anything quite like it on earth. I am very proud and honored and thank you very much for this."

Also announced at the banquet were the 2018 Board of Directors for the chamber: Kerry Higgins, of Coulee Hardware, as president; Ben Hughes, of Coulee Medical Center, as vice president; Lynda Anderson, of the Army Corps of Engineers (retired), as secretary; Scott Hunter, of Star Publishing, as past president; Natalie Dennis, of Coulee Medical Center, as treasurer; and four members at large: Kevin Portch, of Loepp Furniture; Jerry Sands, of C. J.'s Storage; Birdie Hensley, of the Coulee Pioneer Museum; and Wade Taylor, of Taylor Enterprises.

About 25 people attended.