From the
Chairman of the Board Tammie Lucas Can you believe it’s 2016? Looking forward to another year is scary and wonderful at the same time. Great things are happening in Princeton. There’s a growth and excitement that we haven’t seen in years. New businesses are opening and people are cautiously optimistic about getting our downtown back. In 2015, Princeton Mercer County Chamber experienced unprecedented membership growth. We now have nearly 300 members in the chamber and every one of them has someone with new eyes and new vision for what our community can become. This is why the theme for this year is “The Power of YOU”. Every individual that walks through our doors or joins our chamber has an idea of how we can make something better. Whether it’s one project or something much larger, it’s YOU that will make it happen. We look forward to the ideas new members will bring to the projects this upcoming year. Volunteer opportunities are always available and we need every hand to continue the success of past years. Remember, it’s ‘The Power of YOU!’
Tammie Lucas Tammie Lucas is the Marketing Director for Ramey Automotive Group
President and CEO Robert Farley In April of this year, the PrincetonMercer County Chamber of Commerce will be 89 years old. Over those years many changes have taken place. Our membership has increased; we have moved several times and now are housed in the only house left standing that was not burned during the Civil War – The Dr. Robert McNutt House. Our office is on the Historical Register, but yet we operate in a highly technical environment. We have computers, cell phones, wireless connections, face book, twitter, email and webinars. But whatever the future holds for us, we will do our best to be ready. Our Chamber has been blessed the last several years with a very strong board. Together with a great Executive Committee and many, many volunteers we have become a vital force in Princeton and Mercer County. Our mission is to “promote economic development and advance professional and edu-
cational growth to our businesses and communities”. We have approximately 300 members that have joined together to make sure our mission is accomplished. Princeton-Mercer County Chamber of Commerce has a website www.pmccc.com which was built and maintained by Keith Circle, Executive Assistant of the Chamber. He also produces a monthly newsletter. These two avenues of information keeps the community informed of chamber activities and events going on throughout the year. Again let me say that without our strong board, volunteers and a very supportive membership we could not exist and would not be able to accomplish all that we do. Robert Farley President & CEO
Vice Chair Natasha Culver It’s so hard to believe that 2016 is already here! As years come and go it seems time speeds up with each passing one. The chamber had a great year in 2015 and I can’t wait to see what 2016 brings. With our largest membership to date and
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our outstanding board members it’s sure to be another awesome year! We look forward to this year with great excitement as we revamp some of our existing projects and hopefully bring you some new, exciting events this year. Princeton is growing and I encourage each of you to get involved somehow in making our community a better place. As a chamber member there are endless opportunities to volunteer your time, network, and promote you and your business. We thank all of our current members, sponsors, and volunteers for all your hard work and dedication to making the chamber a success. If you aren’t a member I encourage you to join us and be part of the action! Natasha Culver, City National Bank
First Vice Chair Marie Blackwell Whew, where did 2015 go? I am looking forward to an exciting 2016 and honored to be part of the Executive Committee. Each year brings new challenges and
opportunities, but as chamber members we face those opportunities and challenges together. The hard work and dedication of chamber members has positioned us to achieve even higher levels of success in the coming year. So many exciting and new events are taking place in Princeton and Mercer County. These events continue to bring our communities together building lasting memories and friendships. I am a firm believer in partnerships and look forward to communities working together to bring new growth to Mercer County. Princeton is growing and I encourage everyone to hop on board; make a difference and receive firsthand experience in all the great events taking place throughout Princeton and Mercer County. The chamber is here for you. I want to thank all of our chamber members, organizations, sponsors and many volunteers that support the chamber each year. We couldn’t do what we do without you. Each of you makes Mercer County a great place to live and work. Marie Blackwell, City Ambassador, City of Bluefield
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Past Chairman Lee Ross The Princeton Mercer County Chamber of Commerce has stood the test of time as both an advocate for businesses and a resource to showcase the Princeton area beyond our local borders. PMCCC is involved in meeting with our state and local leaders to discuss issues that affect the businesses in our area and give our businesses a voice at the state and local level. Also thru events such as the Women’s Expo and the Princeton Autumnfest, PMCCC brings thousands of people to the area and with them a boost to the local economy. PMCCC also offers a vast array of networking opportunities for businesses to showcase their products and their people. If you are a member of the Princeton Mercer County Chamber of Commerce we thank you for supporting this organization, if you are not a member please consider becoming involved and becoming part of the solution that will truly continue to make the entire Princeton area grow and prosper! Lee is Insurance and Risk Manager for American Electric Power
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ShrimpFeast Running now for 27 years, ShrimpFeast typically draws 700 attendees who enjoy shrimp, hors d’oeuvres, social networking and the live and silent auctions. ShrimpFeast is held in early May.
Business After Hours Hosted by various Chamber member businesses, the Business after Hours is a great way to network with the business community in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
PMCCC Golf Tournament Also running for 27 years, the 30-team competition is held in mid-May. It features a sizeable hole-in-one prize, numerous other prizes, and a great day of fresh air and camaraderie.
Annual Dinner The PMCCC Annual Dinner is held each year in January. At this event, awards are bestowed upon the Volunteer of the Year, Citizen of the year, and the Excel Business of the Year.
Independence Day Celebration The Princeton Rescue Squad, the City of Princeton and the Princeton-Mercer County Chamber of Commerce are in the planning stages of organizing our fourth annual Independence Day Celebration for our community. The 4th of July means different things to different people, but the bottom-line is the thankfulness for our freedom that our veterans have bestowed on us. Our committee presents to the public, free of charge an event with stage entertainment, sky divers and radiant fireworks. We have also partnered up with Appalachian Teen Challenge here in Princeton to promote what they do and how they have helped thousands of students through their program. This year we will again ask the public for non-perishable food donations for entry into the event to help Appalachian Teen Challenge and local food pantries. However, no one will be turned away if they don’t have the means of a food donation. The 2016 celebration will be held on Monday, July 4th at Hunnicutt Stadium in Princeton, West Virginia.
Business Before Hours Offering a free breakfast to attendees, sponsored by various Chamber member businesses, the Business Before Hours provides a motivational, inspirational and educational experience for our member business owners, managers and employees.
Christmas Parade The Princeton Christmas parade is southern West Virginia’s largest Christmas parade. Beginning at the 5th Street stoplight on Mercer Street and ending at the Mercer County Courthouse, the parade usually contains more than 100 units and stretches about a mile. The parade is always held on the first Monday evening after Thanksgiving.
Chamber Historical Christmas Ornament Each year, the Chamber produces an ornament depicting a historical object or place in or around Princeton and Mercer County. The series began in 1993 and has continued consecutively to include subjects such as the Virginian Railroad and historic buildings and places of interest around Mercer County. The year’s new ornament is usually available by Autumnfest on the last Saturday in September.
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Princeton AutumnFest
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Miss Princeton AutumnFest Pageant
CONGRATULATIONS to our 2015 Miss Princeton Autumnfest, Morgan Kesecker, for making it to 3rd Runner-up in the state West Virginia Fairs and Festivals Pageant on January 9 in Charleston. Morgan has been representing and promoting Princeton Autumnfest and our community since her crowning on September 19, by participating in various events and parades throughout the state and attending other pageants in the state as visiting Royalty.
A one-day celebration of local music, food, culture and heritage. For the 11th year, the Princeton-Mercer County Chamber of Commerce will continue the fall tradition of its Princeton AutumnFest, a one-day celebration of local music, food, culture and heritage. This year’s AutumnFest is set for Saturday, Sept. 24, along Mercer Street, in the heart of Princeton’s downtown. The fun and festivities will begin at 9:45 a.m. with a kick-off parade, and the day will include the Princeton AutumnFest Classic Car Show, the Veterinary Associates Fun Dog Show, apple butter-making, chili Cook-off, lots of children’s activities, food and craft vendors and much more. There will be live music all day. We hope you will make Princeton AutumnFest a mainstay in your fall calendar as well. So please join us for what we think will be a wonderful day of good fun, tasty treats and grand entertainment and the community spirit that makes Princeton proud.
The 2016 Princeton AutumnFest activities will be preceded by the 7th annual Miss Princeton AutumnFest Pageant, to be held at the Chuck Mathena Center on May 21. Miss AutumnFest reigns over the day of AutumnFest and helps to promote AutumnFest and our community during the year at other festivals and events throughout the state. The Miss Princeton Autumfest Pageant is divided into four divisions: Wee Miss Autumnfest – Ages 5 to 7, Little Miss Autumnfest – Ages 8 to 11, Teen Miss Autumnfest – Ages 12-15 and Miss Princeton Autumnfest – Ages 16 to 21. All contestants must be a resident of West Virginia. Miss Autumfest Queen contestants must be age 16 by the day of the 2016 Miss Princeton AutumnFest Pageant, and cannot turn 22 before the 2017 state Fairs & Festivals pageant in January. The Princeton Autumnfest Pageant is conducted as a West Virginia Association of Fairs & Festivals pageant.
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Revitalization of
DOWNTOWN PRINCETON The Princeton Renaissance Project is working to improve the life in downtown Princeton. The team envisions that by 2016, we will have an attractive downtown environment that inspires a sense of pride and renewal, where community members are engaged, active and excited. The core team is doing a lot of strategic planning with the input of the community. We are taking that input and making things happen. Currently the team is focusing its efforts on restoration of the historical Lavon Theatre. With the help of a great team of volunteers and artists, we are cleaning up downtown. There are Muriel’s going up on bare walls, store fronts are being redone, the water fountain is working again, there is now an Artist Alley, and eventually there will be new trash cans and benches. As this project continues to move forward fundraising will be stepped up. If you want to be a part of this project, whether it is financially or volunteering, please contact Greg Puckett at Community Connections (304-913-4956). With the work of The Renaissance Project, this really includes the entire community, it is our hope that downtown Princeton will be a place that families can really be proud of and enjoy for a long time.
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15th year of the Women’s Expo The Women’s Expo Committee is proud to announce the 15th year of our Women’s Expo! The Women’s Expo, sponsored by the Princeton-Mercer County Chamber of Commerce and our Anchor Sponsors, is slated for October 28-29, 2016 at the Brushfork Armory in Bluefield, West Virginia. The WOMEN’S EXPO is dedicated to the interests and needs of women and their families. It creates a fun filled weekend of shopping and entertainment, the opportunity to find unique gifts, plus it represents a woman’s lifestyle. The show has grown tremendously since its inception, from 50 exhibitors the first year to nearly 100 exhibitors currently. Every year is special for our ladies, and we look forward to seeing the creativity of our exhibitors displayed in their booths, offering Expo attendees the best of their goods and services. In addition to the exhibits, there will be many other activities going on such as: Center Stage activities and entertainment going all day both days: Great food Community Luncheon Fashion Show & Luncheon Lots of Give-a-ways. And much, much more! If you do business with women, you need to be a part of the 2016 Women’s Expo. Expos are viewed as one of the best direct marketing opportunities for businesses and non-profit organizations in our area. It provides a way for you to meet your customers face-to-face. The purpose of the Women’s Expo is to provide exhibitors the opportunity to increase sales, attract new customers and visit with regular customers. Women love to shop and it’s a woman’s world at Women’s Expo. For additional information please call the Princeton-Mercer County Chamber office (304-487-1502).
We want to again thank our many sponsors of this past year’s Women’s Expo. Anchor Sponsors - Bluefield Daily Telegraph/Princeton Times, J-104 FM, Star 95FM, Willie-FM, WVVA-TV Diamond Sponsor - Princeton Community Hospital Platinum Sponsors - Chick Fil-A, Princeton Health Care, Ramey Toyota Gold – Bluefield Regional Hospital, Tammy Lynn Outdoor Advertising Silver – Aaron’s, Brooke Jewelers, Frontier Communications, Grand Home Furnishings Bronze - BB&T Banks, City National Bank, CW Landscaping, First Century Bank, First Community Bank, MCNB Banks, Mercer County Opportunity Industries, New Peoples Bank, Princeton Independent Funeral Home Association
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PMCCC Membership Directory 21st Century Oncology Aaron's Princeton Acme Wood Preserving Allegheny Consultant Services Alliant Wellness & Chiropractic Alpha Media J-104-FM American Block/Eastern Vault American National University Angelo's Pizzeria Animal Care Center Appalachian Eye Care Appalachian Log Structures Appalachian Power Aramark Food Service & Catering Associated Photography AT&T Mobility Automotive Fasteners, Inc. Autrey & Toler, A.C. Bailey-Kirk Funeral Home BB&T Beltone Hearing Aid Center Big Whiskey BBQ Co. Bill Cole Auto Mall Blue Ridge Hearing & Balance Clinic Blue Ridge Internal Medicine Bluefield AAA Bluefield Daily Telegraph Bluefield Glass & Interiors Bluefield State College Foundation Bluestone Nursery Bojangle's Boxley Concrete Products Brewster, Morhous, & Cameron Brickstreet Insurance Brooke Jewelers Brown Edwards & Company Bud Hypes Plumbing C.A.S.E. WV Carol McClaugherty Catholic Charities WV Southern Region Central Printing Charles W. Pace, Esq. Cheap Thrills Records Chick-Fil-A
Child Protect Of Mercer County Children's Home Society Choice Medical Chris Woolwine Chuck Mathena Center City National Bank City of Princeton Clean Sweep Contracting Coal Heritage Highway Authority Cole Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac Comfort Inn Community Connections Community Foundation of the Virginias Concord University Conner Instant Printing Conn-Weld Industries Country Inns & Suites Country Power Equipment CPR Image Consultants David Najar, DDS Davis-Stuart, Inc. Days Inn Death By Crossfit DLH Associated Doctor's Anesthesia Assoc. E.T. Boggess Architects Ed Gilger Electrical Mechanical Services Emma's Touch Foundation Employers' Innovative Network ERA Advantage Realty EZ To Use.com E-Z Way Laundromat Feuchtenberger & Barringer First Assembly Of God First Bank & Trust Company First Century Bank First Community Bank First Community Insurance Services First Data Fisher & Hodges Four Seasons Antique Mall Four Seasons Pharmacy
Frameworks Plus Fredeking/Stafford Construction Frontier Communications Gina Sively Insurance Glenwood Park Retirement Village Goodwin Agency Gopal Pardasani, MD Grand Home Furnishings Grant's Supermarkets Greenbrier Technologies & Electric H&R Block Hampton Inn Hardee's - Mountain Star, LLC Harold B. Wolfe III, Attorney At Law Healthsouth Hear Again, Inc. Hickman's Pharmacy Hillbilly Cycle Sales Holiday Inn Express HoneyBaked Ham & CafĂŠ Hospice Compassus IBEW Local 466 JM Real Estate Jo Anna Fredeking Jonathan Powell Hope Foundation Kentucky Fried Chicken of Princeton
Kephart Enterprises King's Warriors USL Soccer Team Komax Business Systems Kroger Lamar Advertising Laurel Creek Forest Products Leslie Ann's Little Buddy Radio WGAG-FM Little Caesar's Lively & Associates, CPA's Main Street Builders Mangus Electric Marie Blackwell Mark Wood State Farm Marshall Mann Martin Dental Associates Maryann Lijoi McDonald's MCNB Banks MedExpress Urgent Care Med-Response Melrose Enterprises Memorial Funeral Directory Mercer Christian Academy Mercer County Airport Mercer County Animal Shelter Mercer County C&VB Mercer County Commission Mercer County Development Authority Mercer County Extension
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PMCCC Membership Directory Mercer County Fair Mercer County Farm Bureau Mercer County Opportunity Industries Mercer County Schools Mercer County Solid Waste Authority Mercer County Technical Education Center Mercer Mall Met Resources Mike Romeo Nationwide Insurance Money Mgt. Advisory, Inc Mountain State Locksmith and Safe Services Mountaineer Bowling Lanes Myra's Flower Shop Nasreen Dar, MD New Peoples Bank New River Community & Technical College Nonna's Catering nTelos Communications Oakvale Road Public Service District Orthopaedic Center Of The Va's Papa John's PCH Foundation Pepsi Cola Bottlers Pine Plaza/Princeton Shopping Ctr Pine Plaza/Princeton Shopping Ctr Precision Technical Services Princeton Community Hospital Princeton Elks Lodge Princeton Health & Fitness Center Princeton Health Care Center
Princeton Machinery Princeton Public Library Princeton Rays Princeton Rescue Squad Princeton Rescue Squad Princeton Storage/Winter Properties Princeton Times Professional Imaging Quality Hotel & Conference Center Ramey Automotive Group Real Living Solutions Real Estate Rebecca Carter Recycle West Virginia Region 1 Workforce Investment Board Remax Mountain Realty Right At Home Rivermont Realty Group Roselawn Funeral Home & Cemetary Rotary Club of Princeton Sales Executives Club Sam Baker Agency Sam's Club Saunders Staffing Savory Haven CafĂŠ & Catering Seaver Funeral Home Sheetz Sheila Brooks, DPM Shoney's Skate Shack Sleep Inn Smith, Lilly & Ball Southern Highlands Springleaf Home Equity, Inc. Stafford Consultants Stan Wikle Gospel Music
Promotions Stanley Steemer Star 95 WSTG-FM State Electric Suddenlink Communications Suddenlink Media Supply Works Swope Construction Co. Systems Maintenance Service Tammy Lynn Outdoor Advertising Texas Steakhouse The American Beer Company The Bronze Look The Havens The Insurance Store The Thrasher Group Those Who Served War Museum Town Of Athens Trophies & More Turnpike Motel Two Virginias Media Ty Evans Insurance
United Way Of Southern West Virginia US Cellular USI Insurance Services Valley College Veterinary Associates Wallace Security Walmart of Princeton Weiss Trucking West Virginia Executive Magazine West Virginia Parkways Authority Winterplace WISE Worldwide Equipment WV Division of Rehabilitation Services WV-American Water Co WVNS-TV WVVA-TV Yummi Japan
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Event Calendar 2016 January 8 - Point Of View Breakfast 26 - PMCCC Annual Dinner February-March TBA - Mercer County Day at the Legislature May 7 - ShrimpFeast 15 - PMCCC Golf Tournament 21 – Miss Princeton Autumnfest Pageant July 4 - Princeton 4th of July Celebration September 24 - Princeton AutumnFest October 28-29 - Women’s Expo November Historical Christmas Ornament 28 - Princeton Christmas Parade December TBA - Holiday Open House Year-round Business After Hours Legislative Lobbying
The Dr. Robert B. McNutt House
Stop by and see us!
Semi-annually TBA - Business Before Hours
The PMCCC is in the historic Civil War home known as the Dr. Robert B. McNutt House. Tours are available from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday thru Friday, or by special arrangements.
Monthly The Board of Directors meets the 2nd Thursday at 12:00 noon at various locations
Some McNutt House Facts: • Built in 1840, Dr. Robert B. McNutt bought the house for $200 in 1847, and it is the only remaining Civil War-era home in Princeton. The house served as headquarters for Lt. Col. Rutherford B. Hayes and Sgt. William McKinley (both later Ohio Governors and U.S. Presidents). It was used as a hospital during May 1862. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. • Purchased in 1997 by the H.P. and Anne S. Hunnicutt Foundation, in conjunction with the Princeton Old Town Foundation, PMCCC relocated to the McNutt House in October 2004.
For more information about these and other PMCCC events and projects, contact the Chamber office at (304) 487-1502.
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Why and how to become a PMCCC Member What we are‌ We are an organization of more than three hundred businesses and professional men and women who have joined together to work for the solution of our mutual business and community problems. By working with others, small business people can have the clout to get things done, we work to preserve our business system and promote and manage business growth and development. In other words, we are the community's Department of Progress! What we're not‌ Our Chamber is not a part of the city, county or state government, a political party or function, a civic or social club or welfare agency. How we operate‌ As a member, you will elect a Board of Directors who will determine policy and program. Together you and the Board will provide manpower and finances to address those areas of concern as determined by you and other members. Committees will recommend policy and program and carry out policies and projects approved by the Board. The staff will provide advisory, technical, research and clerical assistance. Your investment... You help the Chamber assure that the economic, social and political needs of the community are being met. You get 2 free advertisements in newsletter per year, plus our membership list! You gain another pair of eyes. Eyes of specialized observers to maintain a watch on legislation which affects everyone in our community; watching to be sure the "quality of life" of Princeton and Mercer County is maintained. You gain a strong, unified voice to present your views on legislation, taxes, employment, trade and other issues. You gain another pair of hands doing research, preparing letters, developing information and telling the story of your market. You gain an additional sales office. We tell the real story of our community. We sell the facts and figures. A new business partner. Your responsibility... We urge all members to join committees and get involved. We urge members to respond to our calls for assistance, whether it be for projects, ideas, or news articles. We urge all members to support other Chamber members, i.e., shopping at their business establishments or recommending them to visitors, etc. Over and over again‌ The Chamber has proven that by working together, we are all better. We bring together the forces of economic, industrial, small business, community and tourism development under one roof.
We have a MISSION‌ “The Princeton-Mercer County Chamber of Commerce promotes economic development and advances professional and educational growth to our businesses and communities.â€?
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For more information or to obtain a membership application, Visit our website at www.pmccc.com .