Annual PCDA Business Appreciation

Almost 100 people attended the annual PCDA Business Appreciation Meeting at Sleepy Hollow Golf Club on September 22nd. At the meeting, the annual Community Development and Volunteer of the Year awards were handed out.

Community Development Award Presented to International Coal Group, Inc.

The Community Development Award recognizes a company’s efforts to improve the quality of life for citizens of Putnam County…

• by encouraging its employees to become active in volunteer service;
• by contributing to Putnam County-based charitable and civic organizations;
• by assisting in the completion of economic development projects;
• by setting an example of good corporate citizenship; and
• by recognizing employees who have actively worked to promote economic development in the county.

International Coal Group, this year’s Community Development Award Winner, has actively promoted economic development in West Virginia by investing in new coal operations. The company’s innovative and environmentally progressive mine reclamation practices and outstanding safety record at its individual mining operations have been recognized with numerous awards from federal and state regulatory agencies.

In Putnam County, ICG invested several million dollars to construct a new corporate headquarters in the Teays Valley Business and Industrial park. The new headquarters generated excellent new job opportunities and helped expand the county’s tax base. The company was also the lead Pink Ribbon Sponsor for the 2009 Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure in May. ICG and its management team have done more than just “encourage” economic development. Company representatives actively serve on the boards of the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce and the Putnam County Development Authority, as well as serving on other local civic and charitable organizations.

Volunteer of the Year Award Presented to Roger Randolph

The 2009 Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Roger Randolph, Randolph Engineering for his support and service by making a difference in the lives of many and helping build a stronger and healthier community in Putnam County.
In the photo at right, Roger Randolph (left) holds the Volunteer of the Year Award presented by PCDA Membership Chairman Wayne Bennett during the annual business meeting.

The Volunteer of the Year Award is given in recognition of an individual’s tireless dedication and devotion by volunteering an abundance of their time and effort to make a difference in Putnam County.

This recipient works diligently to improve the lives of others, not only by being active in his church, but by going beyond what is expected in his volunteer efforts.

Roger has been a tireless supporter of Putnam County, the development authority and many other organizations over the years. For the development authority, he has assisted with the development of the very successful Eleanor Industrial Park in the installation of water, sewer and storm sewer lines. He has always cooperated by supplying us with maps and guidance regarding economic development projects. Over the years, Roger has also helped the county’s Fair Board with ADA compliance with its walkways.

This year’s Volunteer of the Year served as past Pioneer District Commissioner for the Buckskin Council of the Boy Scouts of America, District Unit Commissioner for the Buckskin Council and was a seven-year volunteer for Midland Trail Friends of NRA’s annual banquet – that in 2008 alone, raised over $66,000 to benefit the Boy Scouts, WVU Endowment, 4-H Clubs, ROTC Programs and many others.

Keynote Speaker

Guest speaker for this year’s event was Deputy Secretary of Commerce and General Counsel, West Virginia Department of Commerce, Jon Amores

Mr. Amores gave a presentation about the “positive changes and positive results” as a result of the Manchin administration, including the reductions in business taxes to make West Virginia a more business friendly state. He also reviewed each of the divisions that make up the West Virginia Department of Commerce and their various activities. He included information about new developments in the state including the new Kureha facility now under construction at the DuPont Bell works, Allegheny Energy and Alcon Research to name a few. PCDA thanks Mr. Amores for his time and insightful presentation.

PCDA Update Presentation

Gary Walton, Executive Director of the development authority, gave a presentation about the history, activities of the development authority and its goals for 2010. At the beginning of the presentation, a new welcome video was shown that has since been added to PCDA’s web site.

Gary reviewed new businesses, business expansions and staff training. He also discussed the web site statistics and PCDA’s cooperation with CIS Internet in web site maintenance and electronic distribution of our monthly e-newsletter that allows the organization to better target information to prospective businesses. PCDA thanks everyone for their support and participation in PCDA’s 2009 Annual Business Appreciation Meeting.

Door Prize Winner

Guests were invited to drop a business card in for a door prize.

Winner of the door prize was Debbie Phillips, Arnold Agency. Debbie won a small wooden shoe shine box made by PCDA’s director, Gary Walton (photo at right).