YORK-Two local companies accepted awards for their local impact on the community during York County’s annual Distinguished Business Affair on Thursday, March 17, which was held at the Freight Shed at Riverwalk Landing.
York County Chamber of Commerce recognized Farmers Insurance Paul Clegg Agency as its Small Business of the Year. The agency was selected for its support and dedication to the local community.
The Economic Development Authority and the Department of Economic & Tourism Development honored Parkway Printshop with the 2022 William Rogers “Poor Potter” Award. The award is named after William Rogers, a successful 18th-century entrepreneur who was known as the “poor potter of Yorktown” and is bestowed to growing businesses that make significant investments in York County.
Parkway Printshop, a screen-printing business that was established four years ago, outgrew its former location in the Lightfoot area of York County. Owner Jared Chubb recently acquired and revamped a much larger space located on Merrimac Trail in the region’s Edge District.
Chubb searched for a new location, as his business was in need of more space and reliable climate control. His former location’s air conditioning system wasn’t capable of providing sufficient relief to offset the heat generated by its equipment.
A longtime fan of architecture from yesteryear, Chubb discovered a rundown 10,000-square-foot former TV repair shop that had been vacant for a while. With a little elbow grease and commitment to the vision, he knew the spot was just what he was looking for.
“I was excited to find a building in the up-and-coming Edge District, but when we realized the new space was also in York County, I was delighted,” Chubb said. He worked with Jim Noel, director of York County’s Office of Economic & Tourism Development, to turn the eyesore into an attractive and functional place of business.
Chubb closed on the property in August 2020. He and his team launched a complete overhaul of the antiquated structure. Financial assistance provided by the Economic Development Authority (EDA) allowed Chubb to upgrade the landscaping and revitalize the structure’s appearance.
“We’re highlighting the Edge District throughout the region as a cutting-edge destination for business and entertainment, so improvements to this corridor are a smart investment for the county,” said Noel.
Noel said they chose Parkway for the Poor Potter Award because of the company’s capital investment and job creation in the county as well as its commitment to giving back to the community.
“Our EDA is also focused on business retention, so providing assistance to Parkway was the perfect opportunity to support an existing business and to help them grow here in the county,” said Noel.