More than 160 people turned out to enjoy the food and festivities at the annual Kimball-Banner Chamber of Commerce banquet on Friday, March 20 at the Eagles Hall.After enjoying a fine meal made by the ladies of the Eagles, the chamber members, friends and guests were treated to a speech by freshman Nebraska District 47 State Senator Ken Schilz. Schilz told the gathering of chamber supporters that his first 45 days in office have been fast and furious.  He said he has been to Lincoln every week at least for or five times each week. As for his assignments on committees, he said, “It is a crap shoot where you will end up.”Being a junior senator, Schilz said he is assigned to serve on committees by the senior senators. He said he is fortunate to have landed on two committees that he knows something about, Natural Resource Committee and the Ag Committee. The committee he said he knew the least about was the Business and Labor Committee. Especially when it comes to Labor Unions. Schilz said he is learning quickly though.Of the bills he sees coming before the legislature, Schilz said there is 25 dealing with renewable resources that Nebraskans should keep an eye on. “The big thing here is that we are showing that Nebraska is ready and willing to deal with renewable resources,” said Schilz.Schilz spoke at length about rural economic development saying that it is huge for Nebraska. Rural economic development includes new business, expanded livestock, entrepreneurship, and tourism.“We need tourism here in Western Nebraska. Tourism can be economic development as well,” said Schilz.When it comes to the economy Schilz said that Nebraskans should be aware that, in the current state of things and, if what economists are forecasting is correct, Nebraska will be facing a shortfall of $2 billion in the next 2 years.Schilz said that one of the things that could help ease the burden of the shortfall is receiving stimulus money. Schilz said that Nebraska needed to be careful with the stimulus money and not just receive it blindly.He said that they should avoid using it for projects that would require the state to pour money into later.He recommended doing things like updating school facilities.To round out his speech Schilz said that students from Kimball County, Mollie Baliman and Charles Ferguson, will be joining him in Lincoln as student senators. He said they will be doing all sorts of things to get them acquainted with government. Schilz thanked everyone for giving him the time to speak with them that evening. He said it is always nice to return home to Western Nebraska. “I t is an honor to be able to serve the people of Western Nebraska,” he said, “I appreciate everyone giving me the trust to serve you.”After allowing the applause to die down, Chamber of Commerce Director Kim Baliman took the mic and introduced the entertainment for the night.Playing the piano were Brock Tjosvold and Kali Autrey, both of whom received standing ovations for their performances. The Kimball High School spirit squad gave a dance performance to Bob Seger’s “Old Time Rock and Roll”.Also performing was the group Seamus-n-Andy, the father son duo of Tom and Jake McIntosh.As the entertainment wrapped up, Baliman presented the awards for the year.  Baliman took the time to read the nominations she received and for many people, it was with tear filled eyes that they accepted their awards. The awards presented were:Kimball County Manor Volunteer of the year: Doris PerryKeep Kimball Beautiful Volunteer of the Year: Rich Elliott Young Adult Volunteer of the year: Jeremy FeemsterEntrepreneurs of the year:  Cottage Gardens/Rich And Deb Crago Unique Business of the Year: The Book and Tea Chamber of Commerce Volunteer Of The Year:Mike Schadegg  Community Service Project: Kimball Recycling Center Volunteerism For Youth Development: John And Missy Moritz Community Development: Marcia Buescher Business Development: Rich And Kelly Patterson—Hometown Hardware Community Volunteer Of The Year Award: Marleen Walker The Outstanding Youth Achievement Of The Year  Award: Tyler GiffordCitizens Of The Year: Les And Bev ReemtsHeart Of Kimball Award:  Mrs. Flo Robbins Also taking place that evening was the election of two new board members to the chamber’s board. The new members are, Candy Bussinger and Kelly Patterson.Baliman said on Monday that she was very pleased with the turnout they had. She also very happy with the representation of local hard work and dedication to this community.“It was amazing (the banquet) and I am so proud to showcase local home grown talent and to present the awards to our great community members.”