Powhatan Chamber of Commerce

Powhatan Chamber Mission Statement...

Give Powhatan the Business...

Why Join the Powhatan Chamber?

Application to Join...

The Kathy Budner Award of Excellence 2011...

The Powhatan Chamber Board...

Powhatan County History...

OUR MISSION STATEMENT

The Powhatan Chamber of Commerce is an association of business, professional, and civic minded members who promote the free enterprise system, economic growth and the prosperity of Powhatan County.

to the top

GIVE POWHATAN THE BUSINESS

Our goals include a campaign designed to keep sales tax dollars at home. Shopping locally benefits the municipality in which you live. If you are new to the community or a seasoned Powhatan resident, keep in mind that you can find almost everything you need right here in your County.

A primary attraction for new business growth in the County is the absence of a gross receipts-based business, professional, and occupational license tax. The Chamber is proud to stand up publicly against this unfair tax.

Now in its 21st year, the Chamber lists over 240 members and is self-sustaining, providing its services with no governmental support.

The meetings which are noon luncheons are held the third Thursday of each month at County Seat Restaurant located at 3883 Old Buckingham Road in the Village of Powhatan. There is a guest speaker at each luncheon as well as at the annual dinner in January. Full-time representation and year-round results are rewards of belonging to the Powhatan Chamber of Commerce.

The Chamber unceasingly promotes local products and services while at the same time protecting business interests. A single voice can go unheard, but the collective voice of the Chamber is effective in helping to make Powhatan a wonderful place to work and live. Our activity includes a "Give Powhatan the Business" campaign designed to keep sales tax dollars at home. The Chamber is creating an awareness that when residents spend their money for goods and services within the County, not only do local merchants benefit, the County benefits from the sales tax revenues generated. One can find almost everything one needs right here in the County.

to the top

WHY JOIN THE CHAMBER?

Full-time representation and year-round results are rewards of belonging to the Powhatan Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber serves as both salesman and advocate to local business. It unceasingly promotes local products and services while at the same time protecting business interests. A single voice can go unheard, but the collective voice of the Chamber is effective in helping to make Powhatan a wonderful place to work and live.

For membership information phone or fax 804-598-0223.

The membership dues amount is prorated and based on the number of full-time employees. To inquire about dues, please call 804-598-2636.

Application to Join...

• Complete Online - Click Here...

• Complete and mail - Click Here...

to the top

THE KATHY BUDNER AWARD OF EXCELLENCE 2011

Purpose of this award:
To honor and reinforce the attributes of Kathy Budner, who was the first Executive Director of the Powhatan Chamber of Commerce (1992 to 2008). Kathy demonstrated a selfless contribution to local businesses and to the chamber.

Therefore, this award seeks to honor that excellence by selecting a chamber member whose service and performance positively reflects excellence as demonstrated through their work ethic and contributions to the Powhatan community.

Criteria:
Nominee must have been a member (or employed by a member) of the Powhatan Chamber of Commerce for a minimum of one year.

Nominee has proven his/her commitment to positive work ethic and community service that advances the cause of non-profit organizations including the Powhatan Chamber of Commerce and the business community, thereby promoting a positive business climate.

Recognition for the recipient:

Honored at the annual Powhatan Chamber of Commerce January meeting.

Receives an award clock.

Donation of $1000 given to charity of their choice.

Their photo and name will be highlighted on the Award plaque displayed in the Powhatan Chamber office.

Highlighted in the Chamber newsletter and on the website and the county newspaper of record.

Selection of recipient:
The Kathy Budner Award of Excellence Committee will consider all possible candidates and will select the honoree in early January.

If you have a possible candidate, please contact the Chamber office at 598-2636.

to the top

Powhatan Chamber of Commerce
2012 Board of Directors
If you email one of the boardmembers, please include "Powhatan Chamber of Commerce" in the subject line.
Mary Kay Gates, President (2012)
Manchester YMCA
7540 Hull Street, Richmond, 23235
804-276-9622
gatesm@ymcarichmond.org

Heather Williamson, PhD, Vice President (2012)
Transformation Group LLC
2740 Red Lane Rd
Powhatan VA 23139
(804) 543-3333
drheather@transformationgroupllc.com

Kathy H. Grasty SVP, Treasurer (2014)
New Horizon Bank, N.A.
2501 Anderson Highway
Powhatan, VA 23139
(804) 302-4850
kgrasty@newhorizonbank.com

Ray Dewey, Past President (2014)
Dewey & Associates Insurance
and Financial Services
2148 Plainview Center
Powhatan, VA 23139
804 598-5044
ray.dewey@prudential.com

Susan Ash (2014)
Complete Picture
3835-A Old Buckingham Road
804 598-6969
completepicture@verizon.net

Tracy Cifers (2013)
County Seat Restaurant
3883 Old Buckingham Road
Powhatan, VA 23139
804 598-5000
Countyseat7@gmail.com

India Cox (2013)
Casselmonte Farms
1405 Giles Bridge Road
Powhatan, VA 23139
598-2457/703-395-2923
India1405@verizon.net

Chris DeHart (2013)
Powhatan County/Sheriff’s Office
3880-A Old Buckingham Road
Powhatan, VA 23139
804-598-5757
cddehart@powhatansheriff.net

Olander Fleming (2013)
947 Genito West Boulevard
Moseley, VA 23120
804 363-3018
olanderfleming@rocketmail.com

Scott Gregg (2013)
Powhatan Pharmacies
1800 South Creek One, Suite L
Powhatan, VA 23139
804 382-5028
scott@powhatanrx.com

Allison Hunter (2014)
Goochland Powhatan Community Services
3058 River Road W, Goochland, VA 23063
804 874-4581
allihunter@comcast.net

Michael Potter (2012)
Richardson Harris Boatwright Insurance
3835 B Old Buckingham Rd.
Powhatan, VA 23139
804-690-4003
mpotter@villageconceptsinc.com

Sherry Swinson, ex officio
County of Powhatan
Department of Economic Development
Powhatan, VA 23139
804-598-5605
sswinson@powhatanva.gov

Powhatan Chamber of Commerce Staff
Tina Bustos, Executive Director
Iris Woodson, Event Coordinator
Stephanie Overboe, Administrative Assistant

3887 Old Buckingham Rd
Powhatan, VA 23139
804-598-2636
tina@powhatanchamber.org
iris@powhatanchamber.org

to the top

COUNTY HISTORY

First discovered by European explorers in the early 1600’s, officially declared a county by Virginia’s Governor Patrick Henry in the Revolutionary War era, named for Indian Chief Powhatan, father of the famous Indian princess, Pocahontas, and surrounded by historically significant important Civil War sites, Powhatan County is steeped in American history.

In 1608, a band of approximately 120 men led by Christopher Newport made an expedition up the James River to a point as far west as Maidens Bridge.

They were forced to turn back because of hostile Monacan Indians who occupied the area at the time. Very little is known about the Monacan Indians. They had an open settlement of huts up and down the riverbank which were abandoned.

What is known is that they were hunters and farmers. That they were farmers is indicated by the fact that the word "Monacan" is derived from the Algonquin word signifying a stick or spade.

Between the years 1699 and 1705, some five to seven hundred Huguenot refugees fleeing from persecution in France settled on the James River near Manakin in the then-abandoned Monacan Indian villages. They soon scattered throughout the area, building fine homes, some of which are still standing in the County.

In May 1777, the Virginia General Assembly created the County of Powhatan out of land from the eastern portion of Cumberland County between the Appomattox and James Rivers. In 1850, a small portion of Chesterfield County was annexed, creating what today is the 273-square mile County of Powhatan.

In Virginia, there are nine counties bearing Indian names. Only one, Powhatan, is named for an Indian chief. "Chief Powhatan," father of the famous Indian princess, Pocahontas, was one of the greatest, and is today one of the best known of the Indian chiefs.

After the formation of the County, the first court was held on July 17, 1777, in the home of Littlebury Mosby (1729-1809). Mosby was an important figure in the history of Cumberland and Powhatan Counties. Before and after 1777, he was a gentleman Justice. He was also a vestryman and senior warden of Peterville Church, a colonel in the militia, a tavern keeper, and a high sheriff in the county. His home still stands and is a private residence at the intersection of Route 60 and Old Tavern Road.

At the first session of the court, plans were considered for laying off the County seat to be known as Scottville in honor of General Charles Scott, a Revolutionary War hero and personal aide to General George Washington at Valley Forge. Two granite markers, which still stand today, were placed at the south and north ends of the village to serve as meridian markers. The name of the County seat was changed to Powhatan in 1836 and the present courthouse building was erected in 1848.

Due to the lack of public transportation, small villages sprang up around the County, each of which served their immediate areas. General stores were stocked with local produce, while dry goods were hauled by packet boat (operated by independent boat companies) on the Kanawha Canal, located on the north side of the river.

Each store was responsible for ordering its own supplies and picking them up at the river. These goods were then brought across to the Powhatan side of the river boat or ferry and hauled by teams or wagons to various locations through the county. According to a directory from that period, in 1852 there were 16 merchants in the County as well as 13 attorneys and 13 physicians.

During the War Between the States, Powhatan was spared the battle that raged around Richmond, but became significant during the waning days of the Confederacy.

After the fall of Richmond, retreating Confederate forces passed through the Courthouse area. Robert E. Lee also lived in the county during the summer immediately following the war. Today, there are five sites throughout the county that are part of the Civil War Trails system, and bring tourism to the area.

Several significant educational institutions have been associated with Powhatan. Schools specifically created for the higher education of African-Americans were established at Belmead in the northwest part of the county. The University of Richmond traces its roots to Powhatan in 1830. Many historically significant homes and churches are found throughout the county, including 17 sites listed on the National or Virginia Historic Registry.

to the top