Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Cars filled up one side of the parking lot at the Cherry Valley Shopping Center in Lanett on Tuesday as a crowd gathered at the city’s new event center. Tifton Dobbs, of Dobbs Transportation, held his second ribbon cutting ceremony in as many years for his new business, EventsALL. 

“It’s good to be surrounded by positive power, not negative energy,” Dobbs said. 

The event center, decked out with a mobile stage, four televisions, and full in-house sound system, is designed to be the newest epicenter for business professionals and family-friendly entertainment all in one. 

Dobbs, a longtime entrepreneur, said the idea came about when he was trying to find a venue to hold his driver trainings. There was no place that had everything he needed in-house. That’s when he decided to fill a need in the community.

Dobbs said he wanted to provide more than the average event center can offer.

“Most event centers, you just get four walls,” Dobbs said. 

The event center will be an all-inclusive package for conferences, weddings, karaoke and family-friendly events. 

The project at the Cherry Valley Shopping Center began in March. Before the ribbon cutting, Dobbs thanked Alex Garcia and Barry Watson for lending their carpentry skills to the renovation. He also thanked his family and friends. 

Greater Valley Area Chamber of Commerce Director Carrie Wood introduced the new business during the ceremony, asking Dobbs to reach out if they need anything. 

Mayor Jamie Heard, along with all of the city council members, welcomed everyone to Lanett. He thanked Dobbs for bringing not one but two businesses into the city and for continuing to help Lanett grow. 

“It’s a great day to be a citizen of Lanett,” Heard said. He added, “If you don’t live in Lanett, I encourage you to move to Lanett. And if you need a house, get with me.”

Council member Ronnie Tucker also spoke before the ribbon cutting. Of Dobbs, Tucker said, “He’s not afraid to step out. He’s not scared. Most people who have a business would be afraid to start a new one. If you just bare with him, he’ll get it together.”

“I think it’s a great thing,” Tucker said.

Many of the attendees stayed after the ribbon cutting to have lunch.