Four businesses will comprise the Blair County Chamber of Commerce Business Hall of Fame's Class of 2011.
Mountain Research of Altoona, Tyrone Hospital of Tyrone and Veeder Root of Altoona will be inducted Oct. 17 during the annual Business Hall of Fame dinner at the Blair County Convention Center.
Altoona Shoe Co. will be inducted in the heritage category.
Hall of Fame recipients must have a history of 25 years and a lasting effect on commerce generated in Blair County. The heritage category recognizes businesses no longer in operation.
"We are honored. You just look at all of the businesses that have been elected. Veeder Root has been around for a long time, and this is a great thing for the people who work here. This honor is really appreciated," said Seth Sager, Veeder Root, manufacturing engineer.
Jim Rea, president and CEO of Mountain Research, said his company set a long-term goal of achieving Hall of Fame recognition when it was founded in 1985.
"We looked at it that you need 25 years of consistency, growth, facing adversity and succeeding and doing things well. We are very pleased and proud we were able to do this. It was not easy," Rea said.
Evelyn Kenvin of New York City, whose parents, Max and Bini Billig, founded Altoona Shoe Co. in 1951, is pleased with the recognition.
The company was located at 201 Cayuga Ave. from 1954 to 1978 when it closed.
"We are very honored to be recognized in this way. It is a real tribute to my parents, who came to this country with nothing in 1941 after fleeing the Holocaust," Kenvin said. "The town of Altoona and that factory have a lot of memories for me."
Other recognitions include:
Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 946-7467.
