PHILIPSBURG- The Moshannon Valley Economic Development Partnership and Philipsburg Revitalization Corporation held a combined Annual Awards Gala on April 29 at the Philips Hotel in Historic Downtown Philipsburg. This is the 22nd year the MVEDP has been presenting awards and the 8th for the PRC. Six awards were presented honoring outstanding individual and organizational contributions to the Moshannon Valley.
MVEDP president Paul Springer presented the MVEDP Contribution to Quality of Life Award to Al Jones, Executive Director of the Centre County Community Foundation (CCCF). The CCCF has provided hundreds of thousands of dollars to Philipsburg area organizations including the Moshannon Valley YMCA, Holt Memorial Library, Philipsburg Revitalization Corporation, Hope Fire Company, Moshannon Valley EMS, and Cen-Clear Child Services, Inc. just to name a few. Dixie and Bob Steward have represented Philipsburg as board members of the CCCF for many years.
MVEDP executive director Stan LaFuria presented the MVEDP Small Business of the Year Award to William K. Harkins, Doctor of Medical Dentistry. In July, the Harkins family will celebrate 100 years in dentistry. For many years, Cloyd, John, and William Harkins Sr. were world leaders in cleft palate procedures and research. Bill Harkins is the fourth Harkins to be involved in the dentistry profession.
Dr. Karen Blair, PRC Board member and Organization Committee chair presented the Main Street award for Philanthropy to Christoff Mitchell Petroleum. Jeff Mitchell and Rusty Christoff accepted on behalf of the company. On an annual basis CMP contributes in excess of $7,000 to area little leagues, softball teams, volleyball teams, football teams, Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts and any organization working with youths under age 18. In addition to supporting local organizations, this year CMP unveiled the “Pink Lady”. The Pink Lady is a propane delivery truck sponsoring the Susan G. Komen for the cure foundation. CMP has pledged to donate $50,000 to the Susan G. Komen foundation over the next 5 years with the proceeds being used to help fund research, raise awareness, and help the fight against breast cancer. For every gallon the truck delivers two cents per gallon will be forwarded to the Komen foundation. So far the truck has raised $7,470.00.
PRC, Design Committee Co-Chairperson Walter Swoope presented the Sandra Dewey Martin Historic Preservation Award to Jim and Joan, owners of Ricotta Jewelry in downtown Philipsburg. Last summer, Jim and Joan received Main Street Façade Program funds to assist with the renovation of their storefront on North Front Street. The main goal of the facade program is to encourage property owners to reverse alterations that did not preserve the architectural character of a building and threatened the economic viability of the Commercial Business District, preserving it for future generations.
Paul Springer, PRC Board member and Promotion Committee chair presented the Philipsburg Spirit Award to William “Keno” Beezer. Keno was honored for his contributions to the Philipsburg community over the past 37 years as executive director of the Moshannon Valley YMCA.
The final PRC award of the evening was presented by Economic Restructuring Committee chair Jim Pollock. Jim presented the Retail Business of the Year Award to Lisa and Randy Bock of Bock’s Dining and Tea Room and Village Store. Opened in 2008 and expanded in 2009, Bock’s offers good food in a nice setting and a unique retail shopping opportunity in their Village Store. Today they employ 13 people and house 17 vendors.
“We are extremely delighted to be able to recognize certain individuals who have made a positive difference in the Philipsburg/Moshannon Valley region,” said Paul Springer, President of the MVEDP. “A review of the list of award winners clearly indicates the importance of these people and organizations to this area,” he said. The award winners were presented plaques made by Front Street Jewelers of Downtown Philipsburg.
The Partnership is a private, non-profit corporation whose mission it is to further the economic development of the Moshannon Valley area by getting involved in real estate projects, housing improvements or other community development efforts. The Partnership works to stimulate job creation and job retention by working with existing businesses, entrepreneurs, and companies that might be interested in locating to the Moshannon Valley.
The Philipsburg Revitalization Corporation, Inc. is a non-profit community development organization which supports the development and enhancement of Philipsburg’s business district and the preservation of historic areas.