Chuck Hunt, managing editor of the Faribault County Register, was announced as the Blue Earth Chamber’s Community Service Award winner for 2022.

After over 50 years in the business, Chuck Hunt is acutely aware of the special relationship which exists between small town newspapers and the communities they serve.

“Every small town newspaper editor should be a big promoter of the town,” Hunt observes. “I’ve always believed in being active in the community where I live, and I have been.” 

Given Hunt’s position as managing editor of the Faribault County Register, it should perhaps come as no surprise that he is this year’s recipient of the Blue Earth Chamber of Commerce’s Community Service Award, which will be presented at the Chamber Awards Gala on Friday, March 17.

However, Hunt admits that he, personally, was blown away by the honor.

He received the unexpected tidings at a Blue Earth Kiwanis Club meeting, when Chamber Board member Lill Robinson, Chamber director Shellie Poetter and past Community Service Award recipient Elloyce Queensland crashed the party to announce the news.

“I was shocked. Quite surprised,” he remembers. “I’ve seen lots of people get this award. They always say, ‘I don’t know why I’m getting this award – I don’t do any more than anyone else.’ I felt the same.” 

He adds, “But, after you get over the shock, it’s very humbling. It’s a tremendous honor to be selected.” 

Over the years, Hunt has interviewed many past Community Service Award recipients. Apart from insisting that they ‘don’t do any more than anyone else,’ Hunt says the recipients have something else in common.

“They deeply love the community,” Hunt says. “They don’t just want it to survive; they want it to thrive.” 

Hunt is also invested in Blue Earth’s growth.

His relationship with the town began 15 years ago when he became the Register’s managing editor.

He was initially attracted to the position due to his lifelong love for small town communities. However, Blue Earth quickly grew on Hunt for its own sake.

“It is a heck of a town,” Hunt says, praising its convenient grocery store and excellent hospital, good school system, well-kept parks and thriving businesses.

Hunt quickly assimilated into the Blue Earth community, where he has since acquired several leadership roles.

As previously mentioned, Hunt is a dedicated member of the Blue Earth Kiwanis Club, and he has been generally involved in the Kiwanis organization since 1985.

“I believe a lot in it,” he says.

Hunt has served as the Blue Earth Kiwanis Club’s president twice, and he is currently a member of the club’s Membership Committee and co-chair of its Terrific Kids Committee.

He is willing to jump in to help with any project the club takes on, however, whether it involves walking along a ditch to pick up garbage or selling tickets for a local event.

Another organization near and dear to Hunt’s heart is Blue Earth’s Community Library and Fossil Discovery Center Board. Hunt has been a board member for six years, and president for three years.

“It’s another thing I’m very enthusiastic about,” he says.

As president of the Library Board, he is currently presiding over a period of exciting changes at the library. The board is working on constructing a green space in the parking lot and has recently established a fossil discovery center inside. The board is making general improvements to the library building itself, too.

Hunt has also served as a Chamber Ambassador for the past 15 years. The role involves welcoming new businesses to town, helping with ribbon cutting ceremonies and presenting awards.

Finally, Hunt has been a member of the Active Living Coalition since its inception several years ago. The organization, which exists under the umbrella of Statewide Health Improvement Partnership  (SHIP), promotes active living within the Blue Earth community by making the town more walkable and bikable.

So, Hunt is right to observe, “I’ve always been involved.” 

His record shows it. Before relocating to Blue Earth, Hunt served previous communities as a Chamber of Commerce president, Lions Club president, Kiwanis president, Church Council president, United States Junior Chamber (Jaycees) president, Minnesota Newspaper Association president, a City Council member and an Economic Development Authority (EDA) member.

“My wife has been by my side all the way in business and in the community,” he says, giving due recognition to his partner, Pam Hunt, with whom he has three children: Nate, Nick and Katy, as well as nine grandchildren.

Hunt also values the role which he feels the Register itself plays in his ability to serve the Blue Earth community.

“I think that my getting this award may be due to the newspaper and all of the wonderful things it does in the community,” he explains. “We push things and we promote things. A lot of the credit goes to the staff at the Register and especially to Lori Nauman (publisher/general manager).” 

Additionally, Hunt praises the Blue Earth City Council, the Blue Earth EDA and the Blue Earth Chamber of Commerce for promoting progress in Blue Earth; a growth mindset which he is excited to see flourish in the future.

Above all, he believes and hopes the town’s growth will be bolstered by active community members in the years to come.

“I can’t imagine living in a small town and not wanting to be involved in it,” Hunt says. “Get involved – get out there. It’s such a reward to work with people for the benefit of your town.”