KHAS receives Business of the Year award at Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce banquet
A business with more than 80 years in Hastings is being recognized for its work in the community.
By News Channel NebraskaHASTINGS, Neb. — A business with more than 80 years in Hastings is being recognized for its work in the community.
At its annual banquet Wednesday, the Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce awarded KHAS Radio with its Business of the Year Award for businesses with 25 or fewer employees. The chamber selected KHAS because of its community service, sound business practices and significant impact to the local economy.
“We love this community, we love Hastings and we love partnering with the people and the businesses here in the community,” General Manager Sherry Foster said.
KHAS started in Hastings in 1940 and has been on the air delivering news, sports and entertainment ever since. Foster has been at the station for the last 25 years.
“It’s very emotional to know that 83 years ago KHAS Radio, went on the air," Foster said. "For all of us that get to serve today and carry that legacy on, it’s quite an honor.”
2023 was a year of big changes for the Hastings institution. KHAS moved to the Burlington Center building in the middle of town, launched a new morning show with Brandon J. McDermott and debuted a new Christmas music format.
McDermott even added some radio show flare to Wednesday’s banquet.
“All of you are in on a little secret that nobody outside of this room, nobody outside of these walls will know," McDermott said. "We’re going to do a contest, a secret contest.”
Station employees say they’re determined to live up to the award’s merits.
“We’re going to spend every single day of 2024 earning this award," McDermott said. "On behalf of all of us, thank you so much.”