| Honoring Hall of Fame Inductees, Citizen of the Year, Rising Stars and More Bedford County, PA — The Bedford County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the five (5) businesses being inducted into the Bedford County Business Hall of Fame as part of the organization’s 2nd annual signature spring awards event planned for Friday, March 22nd in the Colonnade Ballroom at the Omni Bedford Springs Resort. The Hall of Fame Luncheon will honor businesses and organizations of the Bedford County region which have exhibited a commitment to excellence in their industry and an impact on commerce and the community of the Bedford County Region for at least a quarter century.
More information about our 2024 Hall of Fame Honorees: Bedford County Fair: The primary mission of the Bedford County Agricultural Society (Bedford County Fair) is to promote and educate the community in the science of agriculture, horticulture, household arts, and family living. For 150 years, the fair has encouraged youth by providing competitions and exhibits during the annual county fair and educating the non-farm community of the importance of agriculture in their daily lives. The Fair is a key partner in Bedford County’s top two industries: agriculture and tourism. The Fair Board emphasizes providing an attractive and functional facility for year-round use by 4-H Clubs, FFA Chapters and the general public. The fairgrounds’ calendar of events is highlighted by animal shows and sales, including the Blue Halter Sale of the PA Guernsey Breeders Association. The Fair has also been a major partner in two significant Chamber/Foundation initiatives in recent years, serving as the site for the Silver Lining Drive-In, as well as the Holiday Nights of Lights. Bedford Rural Electric Cooperative: Bedford Rural Electric Cooperative is a non-profit electric cooperative, incorporated on June 2, 1939. The member-owned electric utility, established to provide electric service to the rural areas of Bedford County and portions of Fulton and Somerset Counties, Bedford Rural Electric is part of a nationwide network of electric cooperatives, with thirteen (13) cooperatives in Pennsylvania and 1,000 in the United States. The company actively participates in their statewide trade organization, PREA, located in Harrisburg, Pa., their nationwide trade organization, the NRECA, and Touchstone Energy, a nationwide alliance of over 650 electric cooperatives, which promotes the “Cooperative Advantage” of superior customer service and a strong local presence. Policies and procedures are determined by an elected, nine (9) member board of directors, which oversees the operation of the Bedford Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc. Their mission is to provide dependable, quality electric service to the membership in the most cost-effective manner. The Cooperative service territory presently serves over 9,000 members and maintains 9 substations and over 1,260 miles of lines. Bedford Rural Electric is also active in the community, participating in career development events and offering student scholarships, while promoting careers in the industry. They also provide significant donations and services to local non-profit partners, including the Bedford County Fair and the Bedford County Chamber, among others. Burger King of Bedford: Burger King of Bedford is a franchise of Timoney Mgmt., Inc., which operates six restaurants in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The Bedford Burger King was the first and flagship franchise, with the claim to fame of being Bedford County’s very first fast-food restaurant when the doors opened in 1981. Franchisee Craig Timoney takes pride in providing first work experiences for many youths in the area, in addition to long-time employment for the company’s loyal executive and management team, including Craig Jr, who is continuing his family’s legacy. Burger King Bedford has made significant contributions to local charities, schools, and other organizations, including more than $75,000 collected in customers’ spare change through fish tank donations through 2016. Timoney has also served in leadership positions with local organizations such as the Chamber and DBI. Lana’s Custom Draperies and Blinds: Lana Fisher’s custom draperies are made locally from a complete line of fabrics, featuring the latest ideas in window treatments, including roller shades, mini, cellular, or wood blinds and vertical as well as pillows, bedding and upholstering. Fisher describes her business as unique as there is no merchandise to shop, but rather a service to create solutions to window treatment problems. Her craftsmanship is bolstered by her husband and partner, Rodney who has become an expert installer. Over 32 years, Lana’s work has spanned across Pennsylvania and beyond, with projects completed for customers in 6 states. Structural Fiberglass, Inc.: The Structural Fiberglass, Inc. Mission is to make the fiberglass solution more readily available to industry by offering design and fabrication of fiberglass structures and structural systems, as well as the distribution of the fiberglass materials to those who wish to fabricate or install the product themselves. SFI has been providing quality products for thirty years, while providing a positive culture and family work environment for its legion of loyal employees. Owner Garry Goss has served in leadership positions in many local organizations, including the Chamber, BDCA, and the Rotary Club of Bedford (evening.) SFI has been a supporter of many charitable and community initiatives including Bike Bedford County.
Rising Star Award to be Presented During Hall of Fame Luncheon While the Chamber honors long-time business success during the Hall of Fame Luncheon, the organization is also looking toward the future, recognizing young professionals with the “Rising Star” Award. Two honorees (under the age of 40, leading in their industries and their communities) have been selected, Dr. Kaci Batzel of Timber Ridge Chiropractic, and Matthew Godissart, PhD Director of the Federated Library System of Bedford County, and the Bedford County Library (please see the Rising Star Award News Release.) Rotary Clubs, Elks Lodge to Present Citizen of the Year Award During Hall of Fame Banquet
In addition to the Citizen of the Year Award, the Bedford Sunrise Rotary Club will also present a youth scholarship during the Hall of Fame event. Sponsorships and program ads are available for the March 22nd luncheon, and registration for the event is now open. Cost to attend is $79 per person. Doors open at 11:30am with the luncheon and program beginning at noon. Register for the event through at the Chamber office by calling 814.623.2233 or via the event calendar on the Chamber website: BedfordCountyChamber.com. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE BUSINESS HALL OF FAME LUNCHEON
The following companies that have been previously honored with the Bedford County Business Hall of Fame Award: 1998 Knisely & Sons, Inc. 1999 New Enterprise Stone & Lime 2001 Reed, Wertz & Roadman, Inc. 2002 Kennametal, Inc. 2003 Hedstrom Corp. 2004 Blackburn-Russell Co., Inc. 2005 Gateway Travel 2006 Cannondale Bicycle Corp. 2007 Morris International, Inc. 2008 McFarland Furniture 2009 Bedford Reinforced Plastics 2010 Bedford Grange Mutual Insurance Co. 2011 UPMC Bedford Memorial 2012 Bedford Elks Country Club 2013 Everett Cash Mutual 2014 Broad Top Bulletin 2015 Clark Contractors, Inc. 2016 Morrisons Cove Herald 2017 The Bedford Gazette 2018 Allegany College of Maryland 2019 Lehman Engineers 2020 Bedford Speedway 2022 Creative Pultrusions Ed’s Steak House Everett Foodliner Thomas Dealerships 2023 Altoona First Savings Bank B.C. Stone Cessna Communications Pennwood Ophthalmic Assoc Your Safe Haven
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The Chamber is pleased to partner with the Rotary Clubs of Bedford and the Bedford Elks Lodge in providing a forum to present the 2024 Citizen of the Year Award during the Hall of Fame Luncheon. A committee comprised of members of the Rotary and Elks organizations will select and announce an honoree who has demonstrated the Rotary Motto of “Service Above Self” and/or the Elks Motto of “Elks Care, Elks Share” through his or her contributions to the life and welfare of the citizens of Bedford County. The 2024 award will be presented to John (Dailey) Chandler, a Paramedic and Training Director for the Bedford Ambulance and Facilitator of Youth Leadership Bedford County. (Please see COTY news release for additional details.)