September 27, 2006 - The Community Development Award is given in recognition of an entity’s efforts to improve the quality of life for citizens of Putnam County.  The Community Development Award recipient: 1) encourages employees to be active in volunteer service, 2) contributes to charitable or civic organizations that impact the quality of life for Putnam County residents, 3) gives service that has assisted in the completion of economic development projects, 4) has a philosophy that sets an example of good corporate citizenship, and 5) recognizes an owner or employee of a company who has actively worked to promote economic development through actions that have helped to improve the community. 

            The 2006 Community Development Award winner is a member of the Kiwanis Club, Lions Club, a former Trustee of St. John’s United Methodist Church, serves as Chairman of the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce board of directors, tutors at Rock Branch Elementary School for children in need, has been on the board of trustees of the West Virginia School of Banking for over 24 years, is active on the Governor’s Housing Commission, and most important to the Putnam County Development Authority...

             The company and its President, went out on a limb to support the development authority’s efforts to purchase the 45 acre former Landers Motel site at Hurricane’s Exit 34.  The site was chosen for a new Wal-Mart Super Center.

             The 2006 Community Development Award Winner is  Rock Branch Community Bank and its President, Mr. Alan Otey.

Mr. Otey was presented the award by PCDA President Bob Pennington at the annual business meeting of the authority held last night at Wellington’s of Scarlett Oaks.  Guest speaker for the evening was Mr. Ben Hatfield, President & CEO of International Coal Group, now Putnam County’s largest Corporate headquarters in Scott Depot.