Celebrating a Century of Business & Community: Hampshire County Chamber of Commerce Hosts Centennial Awards
The Hampshire County Chamber of Commerce honored three historic local businesses during a special evening of recognition, networking, and celebration with West Virginia Secretary of State Kris Warner.
The Hampshire County Chamber of Commerce was proud to host the 2026 Hampshire Centennial Awards on Thursday evening at The Bottling Works Event Center in Romney, West Virginia.
The event brought together local business owners, community leaders, Chamber partners, members, and guests to celebrate an extraordinary milestone: three Hampshire County businesses that have each served our community for more than 100 years.
The evening was an opportunity to recognize the history, dedication, and lasting contributions of these businesses while celebrating the connections and opportunities that continue to shape Hampshire County's future.
Honoring More Than a Century of Local Business
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of Centennial Awards to three longstanding Hampshire County institutions:
The Bank of Romney — Established 1888
Founded more than 138 years ago, The Bank of Romney has been a longstanding part of Hampshire County's financial and business community. Through generations of change and growth, the bank has continued serving local residents, families, and businesses, building relationships that span generations.
FNB Bank, Inc. — Established 1910
With more than 116 years of history, FNB Bank, Inc. has played an important role in serving the financial needs of individuals and businesses throughout the region. Its continued presence represents generations of commitment to customer relationships, community involvement, and local economic activity.
The Hampshire Review — Established 1884
For more than 142 years, The Hampshire Review has helped document the stories, milestones, challenges, and achievements of Hampshire County. As a longstanding source of local journalism, the newspaper has played an important role in keeping residents informed and preserving the community's history for future generations.
Reaching the century mark is an extraordinary accomplishment for any business. These three institutions represent more than longevity; they reflect generations of leadership, adaptation, community relationships, and dedication to the people they serve.
We were especially honored to welcome West Virginia Secretary of State Kris Warner, who joined us to formally present the Centennial Awards and recognize the contributions of these businesses to Hampshire County.
We extend our sincere appreciation to Secretary Warner for taking the time to celebrate this occasion with our local business community.
Looking Ahead: Hampshire on the Horizon Returns for 2027
In addition to recognizing our Centennial Award recipients, the evening provided an opportunity to highlight the continued development of local entrepreneurship through the Hampshire on the Horizon (HOTH) Program.
JT Hott shared exciting news about the return of the program and the opening of applications for its 2027 competition.
Hampshire on the Horizon provides an opportunity for new and existing businesses to develop their ideas, explore growth opportunities, and connect with resources that support entrepreneurship in Hampshire County.
Attendees also heard from Johnny Duncan, owner of Cam's Quick Lube and Full Throttle Customs, who reflected on his experience since earning first place in the 2026 Hampshire on the Horizon competition.
Johnny shared updates on his businesses, the progress made over the past year, and how his entrepreneurial journey has continued to develop since receiving the award.
His remarks offered attendees a firsthand look at the local businesses and entrepreneurs working to build and expand opportunities within our community.
Applications for the 2027 Hampshire on the Horizon Program are now open, with a submission deadline of December 31, 2026. New and existing businesses that have not previously competed are encouraged to apply.
For application details and program information, interested businesses may contact the Hampshire County Economic Development Authority or click the link below:
An Evening of Networking and Community Connections
Beyond the awards presentation, the evening offered an opportunity for Chamber partners, members, local business representatives, and community leaders to connect and strengthen relationships.
Guests enjoyed light refreshments, conversation, and networking throughout the event, reinforcing one of the Chamber's core purposes: bringing people together to support a stronger, more connected Hampshire County.
Events like the Centennial Awards provide an opportunity not only to recognize accomplishments but also to encourage new partnerships, share ideas, and celebrate the businesses and individuals who make our community unique.
Thank You to Those Who Made the Evening Possible
An event like this is made possible through the contributions of many individuals and local businesses, and the Chamber would like to extend its sincere appreciation to everyone who helped bring the celebration together.
Redbird Café — Thank you for providing wonderful catering, light refreshments, and cash bar service throughout the evening. Your hospitality helped create a welcoming atmosphere for our guests.
New Leaf Greenhouse & Market — Thank you for the beautiful floral arrangements that added an elegant finishing touch to our celebration.
Jen Audrey Photography — Thank you for capturing the evening and preserving these special moments for our award recipients, guests, and Chamber community.
The Bottling Works Event Center — Thank you for providing the indoor venue and helping accommodate our event.
West Virginia Secretary of State Kris Warner — Thank you for joining us and presenting the Centennial Awards to our three honored businesses.
Our Hampshire County Chamber of Commerce Board Members — A special thank you to the dedicated board members who contributed their time, planning, coordination, and effort to bring this event together. Your commitment to the Chamber and our community continues to make opportunities like this possible.
And, of course, thank you to every Chamber partner, member, business representative, and community guest who attended. Your participation and support are what make these gatherings meaningful.
Continuing to Grow Together
The Hampshire Centennial Awards were more than a celebration of the past. They were also a reminder of the importance of supporting the businesses and entrepreneurs who will help shape Hampshire County's next century.
As the Hampshire County Chamber of Commerce continues to grow, we look forward to hosting and expanding events like this, creating additional opportunities for networking, business recognition, education, and community engagement.
From honoring businesses with more than a century of history to encouraging the next generation of entrepreneurs through programs like Hampshire on the Horizon, we are excited about the opportunities ahead.
Congratulations once again to The Bank of Romney, FNB Bank, Inc., and The Hampshire Review on their remarkable milestones.
Thank you for being part of Hampshire County's history and for the contributions you continue to make to our community.
Interested in being part of future Chamber events? Join, connect, and grow with us!
Visit https://www.hcccwv.com to learn more about Chamber membership, partnerships, and upcoming events.
Photography by Jen Audrey Photography. Please contact the photographer for permission to use or reproduce event photographs.
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