My grandfather always kept an air compressor ready for anyone who needed it at the old family grocery/post office/VW garage, and I suspect he would have been either amused or angry at the idea of a business charging anyone for air.

A reader who often walks past Gene Jackson Tires and Batteries on Carter Avenue in Ashland recently noticed the longtime local business continues to offer air for free while the same stuff will cost you a couple of quarters practically anywhere else. The folks at Jackson’s still provide free air to anyone with a low tire, a flat, a bicycle tire in need of a couple of pounds or even an underinflated football or basketball. I’m not sure you can even inflate a ball with one of those coin-operated air machines.

“We are able to offer a smile and some assistance to those who need it,” said owner Steve Jackson, citing good customer service as a family tradition for the past 62 years.

“Some who visit in need of air are older citizens. We not only offer the air. If they need help, we provide that too,” he added.

Jackson said he certainly understands the need to make a profit but considers free air “a small but important thing” to provide for people.

“I figure the people of Ashland and this area have been good to me and my family for more than a generation. My compressor that runs the air pump is on anyway.”

Big breakfast

for small business

The 12th Annual Northeast Kentucky Small Business Awards Breakfast will begin at 8 a.m. Thursday at Advance Memorial United Methodist Church, 1007 Bellefonte Road, Flatwoods.

“This is a very prestigious award ceremony to honor, celebrate and recognize small business owners and advocates for their contributions to both our economy and our communities. This event recognizes small business owners and advocates in Boyd, Carter and Greenup counties,” said Event Coordinator Kim Jenkins, adding Rob Johnson of WSAZ will serve as Master of Ceremonies.

“This year, we received a record number of nominations — 48 in 12 categories,” Jenkins said. “We expect more than 200 to attend this year’s event including nominees and their guests, sponsors and individual and company reservations.”

Seats for the event are $15 per person and are still available. Reservations will be accepted through Tuesday by calling (606) 329-8011.

This year’s award nominees from Boyd County are: Active Day of Ashland, Darryl Akers (Home Federal Savings & Loan), Area Insurance Network, George Arthur (Days Inn of Ashland), Ashland Engineers & Associates, Ashland Office Supply, Bridges Magazine, The Copy Collection, Craycraft Foodland, Dan’s Auto Repair, Gene Dobson (Dobson Financial), FeLuchee’s, Genesis Electric, Giovanni’s of Catlettsburg, Highlands Museum & Discovery Center, Carol Jackson (Boyd County Commission on Human Rights), Lara’s Bridals & Formals, David Latherow (Williams, Hall & Latherow), Leadingham Eye Care Center, Theresa Lyons (Smith Goolsby, Artis & Reams), March of Dimes, Kimberly Scott-McCann (VanAntwerp, Monge, Jones, Edwards & McCann), Ohio Valley Wholesale, Pawn Shop Express/Music Box Express, Premier Therapy & Health Centers, River Cities Harvest, Safe Harbor of Northeast Kentucky, Skyline Land Development, Then & Now, Walz Family Medicine, and WP Studio.

From Carter County: Garden Gate Greenhouse, Haymart, James Family Outfitters, Kennedy’s Quilt Shop, Little Blessings Early Childhood Center, Josh McGuire Racing, Reefs & Reptiles, Rick’s Wrecker Service, and Wakland Inc.,

From Greenup County: Ashland/Huntington West KOA, Aunt B’s Candle Supplies & Gifts, Country Finds, Paul Craft (McBrayer, McGinnis, Leslie & Kirkland), Rosie’s Styling Salon, Successful Billing, and Tackett’s Grocery & Pizza.

TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or at (606) 326-2651.