The 2014 Business Leadership Awards Dinner will be hosted by the Independence Chamber of Commerce on Nov. 8 as a formal event at the Arrowhead Stadium North Club.

Shirley Baker will receive the chamber’s Legacy Award for her decades of small-business achievement and contributions to the community. Baker is the former owner of Court House Exchange restaurant, which is more than 100 years old. Located on the Independence square, the pub is known for its down-home cooking.

Nina Andrews will receive the chamber’s Business Person of the Year Award for her 27-year ownership of the Scandinavia Place, a well-loved gift shop on the town square. She was one of the first entrepreneurs to move back to the square and has played a key role in reinvigorating the neighborhood.

Kelly Lightfoot will receive the chamber’s Rising Star Award for her efforts as the principal and creative director of Ampersand, a graphic design and branding firm. Lightfoot has created logos, websites, print materials and other branding work for Frannie Franks Coffee Cakes, Agrisoft, Berry Nutty Farm and several other local firms.

The honorees not only operate successful for-profit companies, they also have actively worked to make Independence a better place to live and work.

About 500 business people from Independence and Eastern Jackson County are expected to attend the event. Individual tickets are $125; tables cost $1,200. For more information, go to ichamber.biz. A variety of event sponsorships are still available for the dinner.

Last year’s honorees included Galen Boyer, Legacy Award winner; Tom and Susan Waters, Businessperson of the Year Award winners; and Cindy Foster and Whit Ross, Rising Star winners.