Local businesses and executives were recognized Wednesday for their significant accomplishments and contributions to the community.

The Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corp. (EDC) and the Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce presented the awards during a Business Appreciation Luncheon at the Bassett Country Club.

Virginia’s recognition as the best state in which to do business has been “a mixed blessing,” the state’s top economic developer said while visiting Henry County on Wednesday.

In recent years, Virginia has garnered that recognition from several business-oriented publications and a cable television business news channel. The state was honored on the basis of factors such as the cost of doing business, quality of the state’s work force and ease of dealing with governmental officials, according to the Virginia Economic Development Partnership’s (VEDP) Web site.

It is an inescapable fact of high school: at some point, all students have to stand in front of their classmates and give oral presentations. Less common is the chance to share their research with a group of adults.

Martinsville residents with junked vehicles in their yards better get rid of them.

Numerous property maintenance code amendments were approved by the Martinsville City Council on first reading Tuesday. Amendments pertain to junked vehicles and other nuisances, as well as require the owners of vacant buildings to register them.

But the focus is on “inoperative vehicles,” as the code refers to them. City officials have been able to get junked vehicles off the streets, but now they will be able to get them out of yards as well.