Discovery World on Market shares the chamber’s Property Improvement Award this year with Overhead Door Company of the Mid-Ohio Valley. (File Photo)

PARKERSBURG — The Chamber of Commerce of the Mid-Ohio Valley announced its 2024 award winners during Thursday’s gala.

* New Business of the Year — Wilky’s Sports Bar: Wilky’s Sports Bar and owner Bill Wilkinson were recognized for purchasing the former Tiber Way Grille in Marietta, making substantial investment in the decor and theme with new tables, chairs and TVs to show a myriad of sporting events and supporting several existing and new employees during the transition. Wilky’s now has 25 employees.

* Community Impact Award — Curry Warehouses: Chief Operating Officer Nick Curry and his team were recognized for encouraging and supporting their employees to volunteer with Downtown PKB on their monthly cleanup events. Setting aside employee time to help with this type of project demonstrates a sense of pride in the community, outside of their normal business operations, chamber officials said.

* Property Improvement Award — Discovery World on Market and Overhead Door Company of the Mid-Ohio Valley: Two winners were selected this year, one that made a substantial investment and a small business who proudly updated their existing property. At over $12 million, Discovery World on Market is one of the largest investments in Downtown Parkersburg in two decades, taking a historic building and reusing it for a fun, new purpose – an interactive children’s museum. A week before its one-year anniversary in April, Discovery World celebrated its 60,000th visitor.

The chamber recognized Overhead Door Company for updating its existing property into an attractive building on the corner of Rayon Drive, one of the busiest streets in south Parkersburg. Owner Robert Gant and manager Ashley Gant were shaken with the unexpected passing of co-owner Skylar Montgomery but focused their efforts into the renovation project on their building.

* Chamber Champion — Renee Murphy, First Mutual Bank: Murphy began attending chamber events in the fall of 2023 and since that time has participated on the Chamber Champions and Women in Leadership Committees and attended upwards of 40 ribbon cutting and Business After Hours events. She encourages businesses to join the Chamber and welcomes new representatives to events with her friendly smile and engaging personality.

* Emerging Business Leader of the Year — Kate Marlow, Wood County Economic Development: Marlow is following in the footsteps of her boss and mentor Lindsey Piersol, who won this award in 2019. Marlow was promoted to assistant director of the organization last year and is recognized for taking a more active and visible role with Wood County Economic Development, attending trade shows to encourage businesses to relocate to the area, in addition to representing the Mid-Ohio Valley in this year’s Leadership West Virginia class.

* Business Leader of the Year — Andy Daniel, 3D Construction: Andy Daniel started 3D Construction in 2004. He is well respected within the construction trades. The company oversaw the renovations of a hangar at the Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Airport that will house River Town Aviation (the pilot training program) in addition to River Town Aircraft Services, the maintenance operations that work on planes at the airport. As a board member for SW Resources, he assisted with the transition of the organization with Goodwill Industries.