Businesses gather for annual awards BY JAMES JACENICH • STAFF WRITER
MONTEREY - A serving of reality accompanied ample portions of praise dished out at Friday's annual business appreciation dinner jointly sponsored by the Bath and Highland chambers of commerce and The Highland Center. What's missing on Bath and Highland's economic menu? Manufacturing, said Robin Sullenberger.
Sullenberger, chief executive officer of the Shenandoah Valley Partnership and chairman of the Highland County Board of Supervisors, was both optimistic and cautious in his "reflections on the region" presentation at the end of the dinner meeting held at The Highland Center last week.
 | | Elmer Halterman received special recognition at the dinner for his 36 years of service at Highland Telephone Cooperative, Highland's 2007 business of the year. Halterman retired earlier this year. (Recorder photos by James Jacenich)
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He said the Shenandoah Valley has the business growth it needs, while Bath and Highland do not.
"There is a tremendous amount of growth coming out of the D.C. area - defense contractors, data centers, and research and development facilities that will help us grow," said Sullenberger. "I am painfully aware that a huge amount of prosperity in the Valley does not transfer over to Highland and Bath counties. I don't say this in any negative connotation whatsoever."
Businesses coming into the region, especially those with lots of capital, give the economy a noticeable boost, he said. But 80 percent of the growth in Virginia in the past couple of years came from existing businesses.
"Existing businesses make everything thrive, and 95 percent of all businesses are small businesses," Sullenberger said.
Bath and Highland have a diversity of retail and service industries, he said. "That is wonderful. A prosperous economy is based on a diverse economy." But a diverse economy should include manufacturing as well as retail and service enterprises, he said.
Sullenberger said businesses most likely to prosper in the future will be technology friendly. He gave two examples of two such businesses that have come to the Valley - Specialty Blades and Dynamic Aviation. "These companies are on the cutting edge," said Sullenberger. They illustrate the changing job market - they have technologically advanced jobs and skill sets, he explained.
Not all well-paying jobs require a college education, said Sullenberger. Thirty percent of future jobs, some earning above $100,000 a year, do not need a traditional college education, he said.
"We need to educate everybody where really lucrative jobs are in the future," Sullenberger said. "They are everywhere, technology permeates every business. All of you use technology in your business."
He also noted companies like Coors, Merck and Hershey were bringing a lot of capital to the area, but not many jobs.
Dave Fuller, business services manager for the Virginia Department of Business Assistance, and a keynote speaker Friday, said settlers in Jamestown in 1607 hoped to introduce silk production to the colony, but they failed because the climate wasn't right for growing mulberry plants, which silk worms needed. "That's an early example of a good idea on paper that just didn't work," he said. His story illustrated the hazards all businesses face when starting a new enterprise. Despite the obstacles, Virginia businesses are thriving, he said.
"Forbes magazine recently recognized Virginia as the best place to do business," he said. "That is no accident - it is because of you," Fuller told business owners attending.
Praise for small businesses
Despite the economic disparity between the Valley and the Highlands, small businesses have made a difference in the quality of life in Bath and Highland, chamber of commerce presidents said.
Jacob Yarrow, president Bath County Chamber of Commerce and chief executive officer of Garth Newel, honored Country Café as Bath County's business of the year.
"We recognize (owners David and Wanda Bradley) for the exceptional work they've done to grow their business in Bath, provide good jobs and really create a meeting place for the entire community," he said. "People have a lot of passion about food and the café has definitely tapped into that."
Yarrow said the restaurant's employees seemed happy, the food was good and affordably priced, and the atmosphere was special. "It is a meeting place; it is helping to create community in Bath County," he said.
"Thank you for thinking of us for this award and thank you to all of you and all of our customers for thinking of us when you are hungry," said David Bradley. He also thanked his wife and partner, Wanda, and his staff.
Lunora Doyle, president of the Highland County Chamber of Commerce and owner of Main Street Treasures and Pass It On Consignment Shoppe in Monterey, singled out retired Highland Telephone Cooperative general manager Elmer Halterman for his leadership at HTC. Halterman worked at HTC for 36 years before retiring earlier this year.
"There was a lot of work that has gone into the new technology that has come here," she said. "He was on top of things; when it was time for DSL he was ready."
HTC is 100 percent DSL capable, noted new general manager Phillip Munchel. That compares with a national average for telephone companies of similar size at 80-85 percent, he said. "Halterman was responsible for that."
Doyle recognized HTC as Highland's business of the year for "exceptional service to Highland County for over 100 years."
Community service awards
The chamber presidents also recognized outstanding service-oriented organizations and individuals Friday.
Bath's community service award went to Mike and Zan Spurgeon.
Pete Minetree, a member of the Bath chamber, said, "Mike is a leader. He is the person you go to for advanced life support, or if you need a cardiac technician - if we need someone like that, he is there … Not only does he have his full-time job with the county, he has a full-time job with the rescue squad. He is involved in every aspect you can imagine."
Spurgeon is rescue chief for the Hot Springs Volunteer Rescue Squad.
Doyle recognized the Highland County Volunteer Rescue Squad, singling out Jim and Lois Thompson, and Bill Niswander for their years of service.
The Thompsons were honored for being instrumental in the creation of Highland's squad. "You don't realize how much trouble it is to have a rescue squad," said Doyle. She said the Thompsons saw the need for a squad, especially after being involved in the delivery of a baby on Hanky Mountain.
Jim Thompson was captain and instructor of the rescue squad for 30 years, retiring in December 1994.
"For him and Lois it was a true labor of love," said Doyle. "They dedicated their lives to the people; they deserve this award."
"We had the ability and time to do it," said Jim Thompson.
"It filled a real need in the county and I was glad to take a part in it," added Lois Thompson.
Doyle recognized Niswander for the 20 years he spent driving the squad's ambulance. "He has numerous awards for being one of the best drivers of an emergency vehicle," said Doyle. "He retired from driving in January, but remains the quartermaster for the squad - he makes sure the vehicles are ready and in excellent condition."
Doyle gave the Highland County Community Service Award to the Highland County Volunteer Rescue Squad, represented by squad president Paul Klein and captain Ron Wimer.
"It is hard to imagine everything they need to save someone's life, all the little things they need to have. How do they ever keep up with all of this?" she said.
"Doing what we do (30 some members) you can't imagine how rewarding that is to those of us who do it. We hope it is equally rewarding for those for whom we do it - you keep us going and we'll keep you going," said Klein.
Highland Center executive director Betty Mitchell presented Gibbs Kinderman of Pocahontas Communications Cooperative the "Couldn't Do It Without You" award.
Kinderman, as director of special projects at PCC, brought Volunteers in Service to America to Pocahontas, Bath and Highland counties, she said. Today there are 25 VISTA volunteers working in a 10-county area as a direct result of Kinderman's work with the program. Kinderman began working with VISTA in 1999. VISTAs brought $500,000 in cash to the region for community organizations through grant applications and fund-raising, Mitchell noted.
The Highland Center and Allegheny Mountain Radio have had 10 VISTAs work for them since 1999. "Gibbs Kinderman got radio service going for Bath and Highland," said Mitchell.
"The purpose of our VISTA project is to provide additional manpower to small community organizations with limited budgets to help them move on to get things done," said Kinderman.
This was the fifth annual Business Appreciation event for Bath and Highland, and dinner was served by Blue Roof Caterers.
This year's theme, based on Business Appreciation week, was "Virginia: Foundation of American Business."
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