FORSYTH COUNTY — Georgia’s commissioner for economic development offered an optimistic outlook for state and local business prospects during an appearance Thursday night in Forsyth County.

“There’s a lot of really good things going on in our state right now, a lot of it we should be proud of,” said Chris Carr, the keynote speaker for the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce’s annual Excellence in Business Awards Gala.

“There are a lot of economic headwinds globally that have kind of caused people to pause a little bit, but we have been fortunate in the state of Georgia that our pipeline of activity is full.”

According to Carr, several industries — including automotive, tourism and film — are excelling in the state, but that Forsyth County should keep an eye on technology.

“One of the things I want to talk about, since we are on the [Ga.] 400 corridor, is innovation,” he said. “The Harvard Business Review just said there’s something going on in Atlanta right now, and there is.

“If you look at cybersecurity, financial security, health IT, mobility and entertainment, there is something going on here.”

Also during the gala, which was held at the Lanier Technical College Forsyth Conference Center, the chamber honored several local businesses.

This year’s award recipients were: Thoroughbred Design Group for small business of the year; Christian Brothers Automotive for new business of the year; Ace Hardware Forsyth for large business of the year; Audio Visual Excellence as mid-sized business of the year; Hampton Inn for the Spirit of Forsyth Award and My Forsyth Magazine for the Steve Bloom Award.

Other nominees included Atlanta Dog Trainer Pet Resort, Atlanta Landscape Group, Regal Maid Service, Sawnee School of Ballet and The Joint Chiropractic.