The Linton-Stockton Chamber of Commerce honored the City of Linton as its 2025 Business of the Year during the chamber’s annual dinner, recognizing city employees for their resilience, dedication, and service during a year marked by unprecedented challenges.

Chamber Board President Carla Gambill addressed attendees with reflections on a year that tested the community through natural disasters, infrastructure failures and public scrutiny.

“The year 2025 tested the City of Linton in ways few communities ever experience,” Gambill said. “Yet through it all, something remarkable happened. Our community did not retreat. Our businesses did not close their doors. Our city employees did not step away.”

According to Gambill, the city endured two tornadoes that caused both physical damage and emotional strain, a tragic downtown building collapse, ongoing staffing shortages and repeated water main breaks. Many of those challenges, she noted, unfolded amid heightened criticism on social media.

Despite those obstacles, Gambill said the city’s workforce remained committed to serving residents.

“Instead, Linton leaned in,” she said.

The chamber’s Business of the Year honor was intentionally presented this year to the City of Linton, with special emphasis on the city departments that carried the heaviest burden throughout 2025.

“This year’s recipient demonstrated resilience, generosity and an unwavering commitment to Linton,” Gambill said. “Whether through continued service, support of community efforts, or simply staying strong when it would have been easier not to, this business exemplified what it means to believe in this city.”

Gambill also took time to publicly recognize city departments that often work behind the scenes, including emergency responders, utilities, public works, administrative staff and employees who stepped outside their normal duties when the community needed help.

“Our emergency responders acted swiftly and selflessly. Our public works and utilities staff restored safety and stability. Our administrative teams kept the city running behind the scenes,” she said. “Every employee who stepped outside their job description to help when it was needed most — your efforts held this city together.”

Departments specifically acknowledged included Water & Gas, Electric, Police, Fire, Street & Sanitation, Wastewater and the Utility Business Office.

Gambill said city employees responded to emergencies no one could have predicted, worked longer hours with fewer staff, and continued serving despite public criticism.

“They showed up not because it was easy, but because it mattered,” she said.

In closing, Gambill said the chamber hopes future generations will remember 2025 not only for its hardships, but for the strength displayed by the community.

“When future generations look back on 2025, we hope they won’t just see the storms or the headlines,” she said. “They’ll see a city that endured, a business community that stayed rooted, a workforce that remained steadfast, and citizens who refused to give up on one another.”