GLASGOW — Winning the Outstanding Citizen of the Year Award Monday night came as a complete surprise to Dr. Bill Travis.

Travis received the award during the Glasgow-Barren County Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Meeting for the work he has done with Sustainable Glasgow, a non-profit organization that promotes the idea of buying locally produced food.

“I had no clue,” said Travis after the meeting. “I was told Sustainable Glasgow was being recognized and I should be here for that.”

Travis, who is president of Sustainable Glasgow, was both flattered and humbled to receive the award.

“Really, it is more of an award that should go to a group of citizens. It’s not a one-citizen thing,” he said.

The group of citizens he was referring to are those who volunteer in conjunction with Sustainable Glasgow.

The Outstanding Citizen of the Year Award is chosen by the Glasgow-Barren County Chamber of Commerce’s   annual meeting committee from a list of nominees submitted in January.

To receive the award, a person must be a Glasgow-Barren County resident, exemplify outstanding leadership and a vision and determination in setting and achieving goals. He or she must also have contributed to the quality of life of the Glasgow-Barren County community in some way.

Travis was nominated for the award by Billy Ray, superintendent of the Glasgow Electric Plant Board, who said Travis “has been the focus of a lot of development and enhancements in our community.”

“It was his thoughts and his effect on a circle of friends that got us all interested in the idea of trying to help our local economy by pulling ourselves up by our own boot straps instead of just asking other companies to move in here,” Ray said.

Sustainable Glasgow spearheaded the development of the Bounty of the Barrens Farmers Market.

Ray also said Travis’ interest in local music turned into Jammin’ at George J’s, “a function that has really enhanced the enjoyment of downtown by a lot of local folks.” Not only does the event provide local musicians with a venue in which to perform, but it also gives people a place to dine on Glasgow’s public square in the evenings, he said.

Other awards presented during the banquet were: Administrative Professional of the Year, Sheryl Edmunds England; Farmer of the Year, John T. and Sharon Smith; Small Business of the Year, Lakeside Recycling; Ernie Awards: Henry Royse, Laura Belcher, Myria Taylor, Steve Newberry and Krissie Coe Fields; Sybil Leamon Volunteer of the Year Award, Christian Kaumanns and Protogenia Woman of Achievement Award, Sheila Hogue.

Besides the award presentation, Jim Lee, president of the chamber of commerce, spoke to members of the chamber about how they can “add value” to their business through their chamber membership.

“I stand before you tonight confident that the chamber adds value to each and every one of your businesses. I’m also confident that through involvement in the chamber activities you can increase the value of your membership and therefore improve your business,” he said.

Two ways to add value to a business through the chamber is by getting involved with chamber-sponsored committees and attending chamber-sponsored ribbon cuttings. Both provide opportunities for networking, he said.

“An opening or the expansion of a business in Barren County is always cause for a celebration,” Lee said, adding that attending ribbon cuttings is also a great way to “open your arms to our new chamber members.”