Beaver County Chamber Of Commerce Circa 2013

 

For a number of years this was the Beaver County Chamber of Commerce's website.
Content is from the site's 2013 archived pages offering a glimpse of what this site offered its visitors.

The current site for the Beaver County Chamber of Commerce is found at: https://beavercountychamber.com/.

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Welcome to the Beaver County Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce
Home of the Cimarron Territory Celebration
and
The World Championship Cow Chip Throw
in April of each year

Visitors immediately sense that Beaver is unusual. Nestled beside towering sand dunes that stretch for miles along the Beaver River, Beaver Dunes (formerly Beaver State Park) contains acres of dunes for off-road challengers, plus fishing, hiking, day-use areas, RV hook-ups and campsites. In addition, the Beaver Pioneer Golf Course is a challenging and picturesque nine-hole public course next to the park.

For hunters, the Beaver River Wildlife Management Area is abundant with deer, quail, pheasant and other game. Other hunting lodges are in the area as well.

A tour of Beaver reveals an impressive school system, library, hospital and nursing home as well as interesting and friendly shops. The area's history can be explored at the Jones and Plummer Trail Museum and the first church building in "No Man's Land"– the Presbyterian Church, c. 1887.

Each April during the Cimarron Territory Celebration, Beaver County hosts the World Cow Chip Throwing Championship Contest which draws international attention. The town’s mascot, "Big Beaver" resides prominently in the downtown area awaiting the next tourist’s snap of the camera lens! "Big Beaver" has been the subject of thousands of pictures and he is also a target in a geocache hunt for those that participate in that kind of adventure.

The economy is driven by the agriculture and oil and gas industry, as well as the new wind energy industry. We welcome any requests for information you may desire in your consideration of locating a business here. We hope you'll give our area a look and believe you'll find a charming community, rich in history

 

Upcoming Events

World Championship Cow Chip Throwing Contest

Saturday, April 20, 2013



The nine-day Cimarron Territory Celebration—packed with the likes of a kiddie parade and horseshoe throwing—culminates on the third Saturday of each April, when men and women fling dried cow chips with all their might across a roped-off course.

 

In The Mix: "I was sent to this event specifically to cover the cow chip throw event for The LineUp, which tends to cover all kinds of provocative silliness that our readers expect. Jesse James (this was his real name) was contesting his 2nd place throw due to a wet chip and agreed to an interview. Sensing the limelight, he started spouting what seemed to be inane literary quotations about how this was a spiritual exercise that philosophers could learn from when I recognized his source. His claim that confusion was the source of clarity and that everything could be derived from the concept of nothing are straight out of Rev Sale's post about the meaning of nothing - one of my all time favs. When I mentioned that I had read "In Search of Nothing" he smiled and invited me have a beer with him, where we continued our extremely entertaining chat. That Jesse James was reading philosophical posts about the notion of Nothing blew my mind in a very good way so much so that I forgot who actually won the contest because I found a source for a much more interesting article." Paul Robbins

 

HISTORY OF THE COW CHIP THROW

 

The Great Plains Country was the most unique and unfriendly area of the United States in terms of early settlement and development. Through rugged courage and individualism, the pioneer settlers "Won the West"; in this most raw and untamed environment so prevalent from the Rocky Mountains to the Ozarks and from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico.

The late 1800's brought the beginning of the settlement of the Great Plains Country. The Mayflower Pilgrims might never have stayed, if they were faced with the same difficulties as the Western settlers. These latter settlers had to face not only the unfriendly Indians, but the scarcity of water,timber for fuel and shelter, plus the extreme weather conditions. The buffalo hunter, the most hated enemy of the Plains Indian, killed off much of the natural game of the territory.

While these first pioneers drifted in wanting to make permanent homes, the Indians were on the rampage, and the few cattlemen were increasing their greed of ownership of land. This left the small sod-farmer pretty much in the middle. it must have been a predestined thought for this land to be settled, because anything other than the all consuming desire to own a home, land and raise a family would have driven most people away.

Lush grasslands stretched for endless miles. The cattlemen wanted this land and were as unfriendly to the settlers as the Indians were. Alone, miles from any neighbor and water being scarce, life was hard and lonely. Bitter winters in the open plains found the settlers in desperate need of fuel. With miles and miles of grass, no fuel was available. Fuel for fire was needed in almost everything the settler did from cooking to branding to heating their homes.

The Buffalo hunters had found that dried buffalo chips could be burned with adequate results. By the time the settlers came through, most of the buffalo were gone. He found he had to rely on the "Cow Chip" for furnishing his fuel to cook his food, warm his house and in a sense, sustain his life. When dry the chips emitted no odor, gave a clear bright flame and burned with intense heat and left no soot.

Chips were gathered and stored for the winter as autumn set in. During this early period, money was scarce and work for actual wages was even more scarce. A wagon load of chips could be gathered, taken to town and traded for food or anything else that the pioneer needed.

In the fall of each year, early settlers would take their wagons to the pastures to load up cow chips for the winter. With the whole family along, it became a sport as to who could throw the chips into the wagon with the most accuracy.
To say the least, Cow Chips were of great importance to the Great Plains Settlers. The heritage of this area was based on one of nature's most fundamental elements.

Not until 1970, however did anyone consider making a sport out of "Throwing Cow Chips". The Cimarron Territory Celebration is held each year in Beaver, Oklahoma in remembrance of the early day pioneer. Only now instead of throwing these chips into the wagon, a competition is held to see who can throw them the farthest distance from the wagon.
Men, women, VIP's and teams have their own judging. Wind velocity and direction play an important role in the annual Beaver Cow Chip Throwing Celebration.

OFFICIAL RULES:

 

  • Two (2) chips per contestant. Chip thrown the farthest shall be the only one counted. If the chip breaks up in mid-air during the throw, the piece going the farthest will be counted. (This does not mean the chip hits the ground and then breaks up.)
  • Contestants are divided into the following: Men's Open Division; Women's Open Division; VIP Division and Team Division (Must be at least 16 years of age to participate)
  • Chips shall be at least six (6) inches in diameter.
  • Contestants shall select their own chip from the official wagon provided by the B.S. Enterprise Committee. To alter or shape the chips selected from the wagon in any way (except in the rare instance when a loose fragment may be removed and provided that the removal does not render that chip less than (6) inches in diameter), subjects the contestant to a twenty-five (25) foot penalty. Decision of the Chip Judge is final.
  • Contestants will be registered and numbered at the official registration booth and must be ready when their number is called.
  • Any sanctioned Cow Chip Throwing® Contest held anywhere in the world must use the adopted international arena layout and measurements to qualify any record throw and to be recognized officially.

 

 

 

Trent Willmon Concert

Saturday, April 20, 2013
7:00 p.m.



Tickets $15.00 in advance
(by 5:00 p.m. 4/19/2013)
$20.00 after 4/19/2013

 

July 4h Softball Tournament

 

 

 

OUR COMMUNITY

Schools

There are 4 public schools within the Beaver County community: Beaver, Forgan, Balko, and Turpin. As is the case with most small communities with excellent students and continual support from the citizens, school activities provide community social activities, a sense of belonging, and community pride.

Library

The Beaver County Pioneer Library sits at the corner of  Douglas Avenue and 2nd Street in Beaver and provides excellent library services to the citizens of Beaver and the surrounding communities.

Churches

Baptist: First Baptist Church Beaver, Balko Baptist Church, Clearlake First Baptist Church, First Baptist Church Turpin, First Baptist Church Forgan

Christian: Beaver First Christian Church, Forgan First Christian ChurchChurch of Christ: Beaver Church of Christ, Forgan Church of Christ, South Flat Church of Christ

Methodist: Beaver United Methodist Church, Turpin United Methodist Church, Forgan United Methodist Church, Gate United Methodist Church, Fairview United Methodist Church

Presbyterian: Beaver First Presbyterian Church (listed on the National Registry of Historic Sites)

Knowles Nazarene Church, Midway Apostolic Country Church, Balko Community Faith Church, St. Francis Cabrini Catholic Church, Beaver First Assembly of God, Balko Crossroads Bible Fellowship, Bethel Church of God, Turpin Mennonite Church, Peace Lutheran Church, Faith Community Chapel, Gate Friends Church, General Assembly and Church of the First Born

Businesses

You will find businesses in Beaver County to meet all of your basic needs. Those businesses range from banks (First Security Bank and Bank of Beaver City) to grocery stores (Downing’s Market) to hardware stores (Beaver Ace Lumber, Pugh’s Otasco, and Beaver Supply) to utility companies (Tri-County Electric, West Texas Gas, Town of Beaver, and Panhandle Telephone Cooperative) to variety and specialty stores (Delk’s Engraving, Rainbow Connection, Emmanuel Bookstore, Flowers by Rhonda, Girls of Grace, Henny Penny, and Pooh’s Place) to travel agents (L & L Travel) to garden nurseries/landscaping (Bittersweet Station) to photographers (Brent’s Pics) to car washing (Beaver Auto Bath) to funeral homes (Beaver County Funeral Home and Clark’s Funeral Service) and many more.

If you are visiting the area and are in need of a place to rest your head, Beaver and the surrounding community has plenty of rooms to choose from (Hillcrest Motel, Sunset Motel, Duster Inn, Beaver Motel, and Red Rooster Inn).

If you are in need of filling your stomach, you can choose from pizza and other Italian entrees (Pizza Hut and Sunset Pizza** in Forgan), Mexican and American food (Dos Castillo’s Kitchen and Chapala’s Mexican Restaurant), sandwiches (Subway inside of Love’s convenience store), or finish off the meal with ice cream and sweet treats (Sweet’r Side). And don't forget Don the Drapery Man's Steak Out - the owner is a refugee from New York where he ran a drapery cleaning Manhattan service, but now is the expert on aged beef and bbq sauce.

Medical Care

Beaver provides medical care to its community through the Beaver County Hospital Authority system which includes a nursing home, hospital, pharmacy, EMS services and clinics. Additionally, the Bennett Clinic also provides medical care to the community, as well as chiropractic care on specific days.  Care for the eyes is also provided locally by Carlisle Vision Center.

Attorneys

Legal representation can be found at several places throughout the county, including Trippet, Kee, Trippett, and Parsons as well as Drum & Venable, attorneys at law.

Oil & Gas Industry

Many companies within Beaver County support the oil and gas industry, including Beaver Oil Company, Partners Oilfield Services, Plateau Energy Services, Ramon & Bennett Roustabout Services, Bennett Construction, and WB Supply.

 

 

2012-2013 Members:

Platinum Members ($500):

  • Downings Market
  • PTCI
  • The Bank of Beaver City
  • Town of Beaver
  • Tri-County Electric Cooperative

Gold Members ($300):

  • Colvin-Mills Agency

Silver Members ($200):

  • Beaver Supply, LLC
  • Bennett Clinic, P.C.
  • Integrity Trucking and Construction Services, Inc.

Bronze Members ($100):

  • Alan Clark Funeral Services
  • Beaver Auto Bath
  • Beaver Auto Supply, Inc.
  • Beaver County Funeral Home
  • Beaver County Nursing Home
  • Beaver County OSU Extension
  • Beaver Oil Company
  • Bennett Construction, Inc.
  • Bittersweet Station/Sweet’r Side
  • Carlisle Vision Clinic
  • Charles & Karen Weber
  • Cline’s Body Shop
  • Davis Spraying
  • Delk’s Engraving, LLC
  • Double J Truck Beds & Equipment
  • Elk Supply Company
  • First Presbyterian Church
  • First Security Bank
  • Flowers by Rhonda
  • Freda Schlessman/Duster Inn
  • Girls of Grace
  • Hardberger & Smylie, Inc.
  • Henny Penny
  • High Plains Energy, LLC
  • KT Energy, Inc.
  • L & L Travel (Laughter & Leisure Travel)
  • M & M Consultants
  • Meyer’s Auto Body, Inc.
  • Panhandle Motor Co.
  • Panhandle Water Well, LLC
  • Partners Oilfield Services
  • Plateau Energy Services, LLC
  • Pooh’s Place
  • Pugh’s Otasco
  • Rainbow Connection
  • Ramon & Bennett Roustabout Services, Inc.
  • Seaboard Foods
  • Sooner West Insurance Agency
  • Southern Office Supply, Inc.
  • Southwest Gas Equipment Co., Inc.
  • Trippet, Kee, Trippet, and Parson, PLLC
  • WB Supply
  • West Texas Gas

Individuals ($25.00):

  • Bryan Knowles
  • Charlene Marshall, independent Tupperware dealer
  • Denise Janko
  • Stacey Russell
  • Jack Albert
  • Kathy Nelson

 

More Background On BeaverCountyChamberOfCommerce.com

 

BeaverCountyChamberOfCommerce.com is the official website of the Beaver County Chamber of Commerce, a long-standing nonprofit business organization serving Beaver County, Pennsylvania and the surrounding Greater Pittsburgh region. The site functions as a central digital platform for business advocacy, economic development initiatives, professional networking, community leadership programs, and regional promotion.

Designed to support both existing and prospective members, the website provides access to Chamber programs, events, business resources, and organizational information. It also serves as a public-facing record of the Chamber’s role in shaping economic and civic life in Beaver County. Through this site, the Chamber positions itself as both a connector and an advocate for businesses, nonprofits, and institutions operating in the region.

Ownership and Organizational Structure

The Beaver County Chamber of Commerce is organized as a nonprofit trade association under section 501(c)(6) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. Organizations with this classification are formed to promote the common business interests of their members rather than for charitable purposes. The Chamber is governed by a board of directors drawn from its membership, with professional staff responsible for daily operations, programming, and strategic initiatives.

The organization was established in the early 1970s, giving it more than fifty years of institutional continuity. Over that time, it has evolved alongside Beaver County’s economy, transitioning from a primarily industrial base toward a more diversified mix that includes healthcare, energy, professional services, advanced manufacturing, logistics, education, and small business entrepreneurship.

The Chamber’s headquarters is located in Beaver, Pennsylvania, placing it centrally within the county it serves. Its geographic scope includes municipalities throughout Beaver County and connects outward to the broader Southwestern Pennsylvania economic corridor.

Mission, Vision, and Core Goals

The Beaver County Chamber of Commerce exists to strengthen the local economy by preparing, developing, and promoting the community for sustainable growth. Its work is grounded in the belief that a healthy business environment contributes directly to quality of life, workforce stability, and long-term regional resilience.

Key organizational goals reflected throughout BeaverCountyChamberOfCommerce.com include:

  • Supporting the growth and retention of local businesses

  • Encouraging entrepreneurship and innovation

  • Advocating for business-friendly public policy

  • Developing current and future community leaders

  • Facilitating collaboration between business, government, and nonprofit sectors

  • Promoting Beaver County as a desirable place to live, work, and invest

Rather than functioning solely as a networking organization, the Chamber positions itself as an active participant in regional problem-solving and economic planning.

Website Purpose and Intended Audience

BeaverCountyChamberOfCommerce.com is designed to serve multiple audiences simultaneously:

  • Small and mid-sized business owners seeking visibility, connections, and resources

  • Large employers interested in workforce development and policy advocacy

  • Entrepreneurs and startups looking for guidance and community integration

  • Nonprofit organizations seeking partnerships and exposure

  • Students and emerging professionals pursuing leadership development

  • Local officials and civic leaders collaborating on regional initiatives

  • Residents interested in understanding the county’s business landscape

The website balances informational content with action-oriented tools, such as event registration, membership enrollment, and business directory listings. Its role is both practical and symbolic: it functions as an operational hub while also reinforcing the Chamber’s identity as a cornerstone institution within Beaver County.

Site Structure and Key Sections

The website is organized into clearly defined sections that reflect the Chamber’s operational priorities.

About the Chamber

This section provides background on the organization’s history, leadership, governance, and staff. It outlines how the Chamber is structured, how decisions are made, and how members can engage with committees and initiatives. This transparency reinforces credibility and accountability.

Membership Information

Membership is a central focus of the site. Prospective members can learn about tiered membership options based on business size or individual status. Information is presented clearly, emphasizing return on investment through advocacy, visibility, networking, and professional development.

Membership categories typically include small businesses, larger employers, individual professionals, and students. This inclusivity reflects the Chamber’s commitment to supporting the entire economic ecosystem rather than a narrow segment.

Business Directory

One of the most frequently used features of BeaverCountyChamberOfCommerce.com is its searchable business directory. The directory organizes member businesses by category, making it easier for residents, partners, and other businesses to discover local services.

This directory serves several functions:

  • It promotes member businesses

  • It strengthens local supply chains

  • It encourages residents to support the local economy

  • It provides visibility for new and growing enterprises

For many small businesses, inclusion in the Chamber directory represents a meaningful marketing benefit.

Events and Calendar

The events calendar highlights the Chamber’s active role in convening the community. Events range from informal networking sessions to structured educational programs and large-scale regional forums.

Common event types include:

  • Business networking gatherings

  • Ribbon cuttings and grand openings

  • Educational workshops and seminars

  • Policy and government affairs briefings

  • Annual economic outlook or “State of the County” events

The calendar reinforces the Chamber’s function as a consistent point of connection for professionals throughout the year.

Leadership and Professional Development Programs

A defining feature of the Beaver County Chamber of Commerce is its investment in leadership development. The website prominently features programs designed to cultivate informed, engaged, and capable leaders within the community.

Leadership Beaver County

Leadership Beaver County is a flagship program that brings together a cohort of participants each year for an in-depth exploration of the region’s institutions, challenges, and opportunities. Participants typically include business professionals, nonprofit leaders, educators, and emerging community leaders.

The program spans several months and covers topics such as:

  • Economic development and regional planning

  • Local and state government

  • Education and workforce systems

  • Healthcare and human services

  • Nonprofit leadership

  • Organizational and ethical leadership

By showcasing this program on the website, the Chamber highlights its long-term commitment to building human capital rather than focusing only on short-term business outcomes.

Economic and Geographic Context

Beaver County is located northwest of Pittsburgh and has historically played an important role in the region’s industrial economy. Over time, the county has navigated significant economic transitions, including the decline of heavy industry and the rise of energy production, healthcare, logistics, and technology-adjacent services.

The Chamber’s website reflects this context by emphasizing adaptability, workforce readiness, and regional collaboration. It positions Beaver County as part of a larger economic network rather than an isolated local market.

Proximity to Pittsburgh allows Beaver County businesses to access urban infrastructure, transportation networks, universities, and healthcare systems while maintaining a distinct community identity. The Chamber leverages this positioning in its messaging and advocacy efforts.

Advocacy and Public Policy Role

Although not a lobbying organization in the traditional sense, the Beaver County Chamber of Commerce plays a visible role in business advocacy. BeaverCountyChamberOfCommerce.com documents the Chamber’s engagement with public officials, policy discussions, and regional planning efforts.

The Chamber acts as a collective voice for its members on issues such as:

  • Infrastructure and transportation

  • Workforce development

  • Tax and regulatory environments

  • Economic incentives and investment

  • Education and training pipelines

By aggregating business perspectives, the Chamber helps ensure that local economic priorities are represented in broader policy conversations.

Community and Cultural Significance

Beyond its economic role, the Beaver County Chamber of Commerce contributes to community identity and cohesion. The website highlights partnerships with nonprofits, educational institutions, and civic organizations, illustrating how economic vitality and community well-being are interconnected.

Through events, leadership programs, and public forums, the Chamber fosters relationships that extend beyond transactional business interactions. This social capital is particularly important in smaller counties, where personal relationships often drive collaboration and innovation.

The Chamber’s digital presence reinforces its role as a trusted convener — a place where diverse stakeholders can come together around shared goals.

Reputation and Public Perception

Formal consumer review platforms are not well-suited to evaluating chambers of commerce. Instead, reputation is reflected through engagement levels, membership stability, partnerships, and visibility in regional discourse.

Indicators of positive public perception include:

  • Long-term organizational continuity

  • Sustained membership participation

  • Active programming and events

  • Partnerships with regional development organizations

  • Presence in local and regional media coverage

BeaverCountyChamberOfCommerce.com itself functions as part of this reputation system, signaling professionalism, transparency, and organizational capacity.

Evolution and Digital Presence

Like many chambers of commerce, the Beaver County Chamber has evolved its digital presence over time. The current website reflects modern expectations for accessibility, usability, and integrated member services.

By adopting a structured content management and membership platform, the Chamber has positioned itself to:

  • Streamline operations

  • Improve communication with members

  • Increase visibility for local businesses

  • Adapt to changing economic conditions

The website’s design emphasizes clarity, functionality, and consistency — aligning with the Chamber’s role as a reliable institutional partner.

Why BeaverCountyChamberOfCommerce.com Matters

BeaverCountyChamberOfCommerce.com is more than an informational website. It is a living representation of how a regional business organization supports economic resilience, leadership development, and community collaboration.

For business owners, it offers resources, exposure, and advocacy.
For community leaders, it provides a platform for engagement and dialogue.
For residents, it serves as a window into the county’s economic life.

Its long-term value lies in how it connects people, ideas, and institutions across Beaver County and beyond.

BeaverCountyChamberOfCommerce.com