Pike County Celebrates Growth at Annual Chamber Dinner

Tourism board development and economic progress highlighted at event.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The Pike County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Corporation held their annual dinner on Friday night, celebrating the community's progress. Chamber Director Jill Hyneman highlighted the new Tourism Board that will help promote the area, while Economic Development Director Ashley Willis announced strong GDP growth and a $100,000 grant for a new community center.

Why it matters

The annual chamber dinner is an important event for highlighting the economic and community development efforts in Pike County. The creation of a Tourism Board and significant GDP growth indicate the county is making strides in attracting visitors and businesses, which can lead to more jobs and investment in the region.

The details

At the dinner, Jill Hyneman, the Chamber Director, expressed excitement about the newly formed Tourism Board that will help collect funds to promote tourism in Pike County. Economic Development Director Ashley Willis also announced that the county's GDP has grown over 700 times in just three years since 2023. Additionally, Willis shared that Pike County received a $100,000 grant from AES for a new community center on Main Street in Petersburg.

  • The Pike County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Corporation held their annual dinner on Friday night (March 7, 2026).
  • The GDP growth figure cited covers the period from 2023 to 2025.

The players

Jill Hyneman

The Director of the Pike County Chamber of Commerce.

Ashley Willis

The Economic Development Director for Pike County.

Calorita

The Pike County Business of the Year.

CEDA/Rise Peer Recovery

The nonprofit of the year in Pike County.

AES

The company that provided a $100,000 grant for a new community center in Petersburg.

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What they’re saying

“I am very excited that a Tourism Board has now been developed for Pike County, allowing the board to collect dollars to promote tourism in the community.”

— Jill Hyneman, Chamber Director (wamwamfm.com)

What’s next

The new Pike County Tourism Board will begin its work to promote the area and attract more visitors in the coming year.

The takeaway

Pike County is making significant strides in economic and community development, with the creation of a Tourism Board, strong GDP growth, and new investments like the $100,000 grant for a community center. These efforts indicate the county is well-positioned for continued progress and prosperity.