The Putnam County Development Authority hosted its 50th anniversary celebration at Sleepy Hollow Golf Club on September 29th. Almost 150 people attended this year’s event, including dignitaries, past executive directors and board members that served on the board as many as 40-years ago.

The purpose of the annual dinner this year was primarily designed to celebrate the volunteers who have served and are serving on the various boards and committees of the development authority. The authority was created by the Putnam County Commission in August, 1961 as the Putnam County Development Association.

At the event, the annual Volunteer of the Year Award and the Community Development Award was presented (read separate articles in this edition of the newsletter). Attendees were treated to a short video of development in Putnam County that PCDA Office Manager Willa Spradling prepared and a 50th anniversary publication assembled by Econ. Dev. Project Director Heather Vanater was provided at each seat. The publication included photos and listings of all past and present board members, PROTEC board members who had helped the development authority over the years, and aerial photos that showed development progress throughout the county.

Heather also put together a display with memorabilia (photo at left) from the years of activities of the development authority. The display featured various news articles, photos and past marketing pieces. Current and former members of the board of both PCDA and PROTEC were introduced. 2011 also marks the 20th anniversary of PCDA’s sister organization, PROTEC. PROTEC (Putnam Regional Organization for Technical and Economic Development).

PCDA wishes to thank to the following businesses for helping to make this year’s annual dinner and 50th celebration a truly memorable event.

Platinum Sponsors:

BB & T

E.L. Robinson Engineering Co.

Kanawha Stone Company, Inc.

Lanham O’Dell & Company

WV Cashin Recylables, Inc.

Toyota Motor Manufacturing WV, Inc.

Silver Sponsors:

A.C.&S., Inc.

Advanced Technical Solutions LLC

Clark International Logistics

Fifth Third Bank

Four S Development

Mouldagraph Corporation

Triad Engineering, Inc.

Rock Branch Community Bank

WV Steel Corporation

Bronze Sponsors:

Amherst Madison, Inc.

CAMC Teays Valley Hospital, Inc.

Cornerstone Interiors, Inc.

Dr. Leonard Fichter, Inc.

Nippon Thermostat of America Corporation

Randolph Engineering Co., Inc.

Terradon Corporation

Vossloh Track Materials, Inc.

Potesta & Associates, Inc.

Shamblin Stone, Inc.

Total Distribution, Inc.

West Virginia American Water Company.