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11/6/2009 3:32 AM

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By Michael Bradwell

Business editor

mbradwell@observer-reporter.com

Despite an economy that's just beginning to show signs of recovery, the Washington County Chamber of Commerce's annual banquet set an attendance record Wednesday.

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Outgoing Chairman of the Board Lou Panza reported that 520 people attended the annual Business Expo and Awards Banquet at the Hilton Garden Inn, Southpointe. Membership also is up at the county's largest business organization, Panza said, noting that the chamber now counts 1,000 companies as members. Executive Director Jeff Kotula said that during the past year, the chamber added 76 new members and has a 93 percent retention rate among its members.

Kotula also noted that Wednesday marked the 10th anniversary of the Washington County Economic Development Partnership, which includes the chamber, Washington County commissioners and Washington Industrial Development Corp., as a one-stop shop for economic development funding. Since its inception, the partnership has generated $200 million in public and private funding for business and economic development in the county.

During the banquet, the chamber honored three recipients of its annual awards. Consol Energy Inc. received the Exceptional Community Commitment Award; Matt Pitzarella, public affairs director for Range Resources Inc.'s Appalachia Division, received the Edward J. DeVoge Horizon Award, which recognizes the accomplishments of a man or woman under the age of 40; and Dr. Tori Haring-Smith, president of Washington & Jefferson College, was presented with the Outstanding Women in Business Award.

Kotula, who introduced Washington attorney Susan Mondik Key as the new chairwoman of the board for 2010, also said new board members are Ray Walker of Range Resources - Appalachia, and Sean Sullivan of The Meadows Racetrack & Casino.

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1 comments

Blind leading the blind : 11/6/2009
A couple more reasons to quit the Chamber of Commerce!

Former CC member

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