The Shadow
HOT SPRINGS - The Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce recognized business owners, educators and volunteers during their 31st Annual Dinner Meeting and dance held Saturday night at The Homestead.
Over 350 attended the gala which included two businesses being recognized as Business of the Year.
Lisa Schoppmeyer, president of the chamber’s board of directors, noted some of the chamber’s activities during 2009.
“At this time, the role of the chamber to promote business growth has never been more important,” Schoppmeyer said.
She added that 36 businesses joined the chamber in 2009 and there were 16 ribbon cuttings and grand openings.
“As leaders, we must join together to explore the future. The chamber has an important role to play in actively fostering working relationships because many opportunities require skills and resources that no single entity can provide. We all must work together. We are the Alleghany Highlands,” Schoppmeyer said.
She said downtown revitalization is becoming a reality. The chamber commended businesses that have made facade improvements and renovations in downtown Covington and Clifton Forge.
Funded by The Alleghany Foundation, the chamber completed a Tourism Needs Assessment and Marketing Plan.
“In order to move ahead with growing and enhancing tourism in the Alleghany Highlands, the chamber will need your assistance in making sure that funding is made available to implement these recommendations,” Schoppmeyer noted.
Zachry Industrial and Covington Farm and Fuel were the co-winners of the chamber’s annual Business of the Year Award.
Criteria used in selecting the award include job creation, innovation in product or service, business advocacy, community involvement and economic impact on the community.
Zachry Industrial came to Covington in September 2007. Starting with 55 employees with only four from out-of-state, the staff was hired locally. Currently, there are 139 employed by Zachry Industrial.
In 2009, the company raised over $44,000 to give to local charities including the Greater Alleghany United Fund, Safehome, Boys’ Home and area nursing homes.
“They believe in hiring locally, investing in the community and being a good corporate citizen,” Schoppmeyer said.
Covington Farm and Fuel took over the former Hubbard’s Service January 1, 2007. On December 1 of the same year, the company opened a second Covington location, CF&F Truck Shop on Highland Avenue.
In October 2008, they introduced their Priority Customer Program for discount fuels; they now have 110 commercial priority accounts.
On April 1 last year, the company opened their third location on Alleghany Avenue and most recently added a mobile repair service.
The company has performed cosmetic improvements on the businesses and have expanded products and services. Over the past three years, the business has grown from $2 million to &7.1 million annually.
The company has grown from five employees to 38 employees and is committed to shopping locally for products and services needed to operate their business.
“Covington Farm and Fuel strives to make a positive impact on our community and have made contributions to various civic organizations and special projects in the community, particularly the Christmas Mother program,” Schoppmeyer said.
Other nominees for the award were Jack Mason’s Tavern, Riders Up! Outfitters and Shentel.
The Dogwood Award for Beautification was presented to Jack Mason’s Tavern.
Between September 2008 and November 2009, owners Martha Atherholt and Wendy Hudler invested $500,000 to renovate and create the tavern in downtown Clifton Forge.
They made an effort to utilize local workers and craftsmen and bought construction supplies and lumber from local vendors.
The tavern employs 20 people and on a weekend night, serves 150-200 people. Gross sales are averaging $45,000 to $55,000 each month.
Other nominees were Fire and Light Gallery, Louise Belmont and Shentel.
Outgoing chamber president Mark Taylor presented the Educator of the Year Awards.
“A diverse and trained workforce is one of the great foundations of our pro-business environment. And the underpinnings of this strong labor force is our great educational system comprised of award-winning schools and progressive college system that supports continuing education and workforce development needs,” Taylor said.
Educators of the Year were Tina Fields from Alleghany County, Cecilia Warden from Covington, Mark Smith of Jackson River Technical Center and Dr. Stan Willenbring from Dabney S. Lancaster Community College.
Criteria for selection included instructional expertise, interpersonal effectiveness and total school involvement.
Nominees were Karen Staunton, Boiling Spring Elementary; Carol Varner, Callaghan Elementary; Stephanie Harmon, Falling Spring Elementary; Tina Fields, Mountain View Elementary; Rhonda Terry, Sharon Elementary; Cynthia Fox, Clifton Middle School; Jeff Bartley, Alleghany High School; Courtney Crawford, Edgemont Elementary; Kathy Stapleton, Jeter-Watson Intermediate and Cecilia Warden, Covington High School.
The Ruth Middleton Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to James “Cheeze” Smith.
Criteria used in the selection of the award include impact on the community, number of volunteer hours, years of service, significant achievement for the year and diversity of volunteer service.
Smith is a lifetime resident of Covington and the father of three sons and the grandfather of five.
Taylor said of Smith, “Cheeze is a kind-hearted man always putting the other person first and always wanting to make others happy. He gives food to the hungry, helps the elderly, pays bills for people that may otherwise be without electricity, gas, water or whatever and never expects any reimbursements of pay for any of the kind things that he does.”
“When asked why you won’t take anything for your hard work, his reply is ‘the Lord always gives it back to me,’,” Taylor added.
A member of Pine Street Baptist Church, Smith is best known for being “Cheeze Claus” and distributing toys, bicycles and motorized cars to the community’s children during the Christmas parades.
“He delights in the joy and happiness that he sees on the faces of the children when he gives them a toy,” Taylor said.
Nominees were Cindy George, Kristen Garten, Lisa Walker, David Arritt, Jim Bay IV, Sara Young and Jane and Dave Newkirk.
