ROCK HILL — The York County Regional Chamber of Commerce honored 11 business leaders for their achievements at its annual banquet Thursday.

About 400 business and civic leaders attended the banquet at York Technical College’s Baxter M. Hood Center.

The Chairman’s Award was given for only the third time in the history of the banquet which celebrated its 14th year. The award is presented to a community leader who has worked tirelessly to help make York County one of the best places to live, work and conduct business.

Chet Miller was honored for his efforts over the past seven years to remove the “blue laws” that restricted the sale of beer and wine. Miller was co-chairman of the recent successful effort to allow Sunday beer and wine sales at grocery and convenience stores.

Others honored were:

•  Lifetime Business Achievement Award: John “Jack” Clinton of Clinton Family Ford was recognized for his more than 20 years of service to the community. He has been selling Fords for nearly 60 years. Clinton founded the Rock Hill Morning Rotary Club, helped push development of the Manchester Village shopping center and is longtime member of the Rock Hill Area United Way.

•  Citizenship and Service Award: Wayne Wingate was recognized for volunteer efforts with the Rock Hill school bonds campaigns, the regional chamber, the Upper Palmetto YMCA, the Eastern York County United Way, the Come-See-Me festival and several runs for elected offices. Wingate was named the 2006 recipient of the Champions for Education award presented by the S.C. School Board Association.

•  Fort Mill Area Business Person of the Year: Ira Coltharp of Coltharp Inc, a grading and hauling contractor and operator of a construction and demolition landfill

•  Rock Hill Area Business Person of the Year: David Williams of Assured Group, which is developing the Riverwalk project

Tega Cay Area Business Person of the Year: Shanna Smith of First Citizens Bank

•  Small Business Person of the Year and Small Business Achiever: Jay Rinehart, president and CEO of Rinehart Realty

•  Small Business Achievers: Richard M. Schlauch Jr. of Palmetto Counseling & Consulting Services, Joanie Winters of Winters law firm and Donna Medley of CovRing Day Spa

•  Chamber Ambassador of the Year: Lynn Williams of All About Ink

Don Worthington •  803-329-4066