Businesses that played key roles in downtown Columbia’s popular Christmas display won two of the top awards Jan. 24 at the Marion County Development Partnership’s annual meeting.
The 2018 Business of the Year went to Looks Great Services, whose owners Kristian and Yolanda Agoglia spearheaded the effort that drew thousands to the city, and MD Electric and owner Michael McDaniel won the Community Service Award for donating 394.5 manhours to help with the lighting.
MCDP Board Chairman Drew Foxworth announced the honors during the dinner at the Magnolia Grille. A sold-out crowd listened as Quint Studer, an author and consultant, talked about ideas for building up a community based on his work to revitalize downtown Pensacola, Fla.
The MCDP serves as Marion County’s economic development organization and chamber of commerce.
MD Electric contracts with the city to run the Water Department, and Foxworth said McDaniel used his depth of knowledge about the city’s infrastructure to play a crucial role in the Christmas lighting. He said crews worked night and day wiring and connecting to make everything work.
Looks Great Services, which does utility right of way clearing as well as Christmas lighting services, moved to Marion County from New York in 2010, Foxworth said.
It employs more than 200 people through Looks Great Services and Helanbak, which are located on Mississippi 13 in the former Orleans Furniture building.
They first donated Fourth of July fireworks and then looked to do more. Foxworth said the company made a tremendous financial investment as well as in manhours to create the winter wonderland.
“People came into my office just because it was such a happy time hearing these wonderful songs,” the Main Street attorney said. “There were the lights, but really it was the people; it was they did to the heart. There was a connection there. It was amazing.”
Also, Stephanie Guidroz of Marion General Hospital won the Ambassador of the Year award. Foxworth stressed the importance of welcoming people toward the success of a business or city and joked that Guidroz “cheated” in her ability to do that because she was raised at Columbia’s famous Round Table.
