(KAIR)--Several local area businesses and individuals were recognized during the 2026 To The Stars Kansas Business Awards.

A social media post from the Atchison Area Chamber of Commerce congratulated Presley Pierce for receiving a Regional Award for Main Street Momentum during last week’s ceremony.

The Chamber also recognized member Justin Pregont, with Pomeroy Development, who received the South Central Regional Main Street Momentum Award for his work on the Meyer Landmark project in Hutchinson.

Two other local organizations were among this year's nominees. The Atchison Farmers' Market was nominated in the Agribusiness category, while AllWays Community Health Center was nominated in the Healthcare/Nonprofit category.

Meanwhile, Britni Beck, with Circle of Nations Collective in White Cloud, was named the statewide winner in the Welcome Back category.

Top honors went to Plumbers and Pipefitters Apprenticeship Training of Kansas, which received the Governor's Award of Excellence, and Sabetha-based NorthWind Technical Services, named Governor's Exporter of the Year.

NorthWind was founded by Mike and Marlene Bosworth in their home near Sabetha and has grown into an international provider of automation and control systems for manufacturing facilities.

According to a release from the Kansas Department of Commerce, nearly 500 people attended the October 8 awards ceremony in Overland Park.

More than 340 businesses, organizations and individuals were nominated in 11 categories, with 55 Regional Awards presented.