APRIL
16 2021
Wellsville honors resident for his service to village
Photo by Kathryn Ross Greater Allegany County Chamber of Commerce board member Corinna McKnight (center) received the President’s Award from Girard Kelly (left), president of the Chamber, and executive director Gretchen Hanchett.
Broadband installer is Greater Allegany County Chamber Large Business of Year
Photo Provided Sister Alice offers a few words honoring Pat McKinley as friends and family gathered Monday.
BY KATHRYN ROSS BELFAST — In a warehouse full of broadband equipment the Greater Allegany County Chamber of Commerce honored large and small business and recognized one of its own with annual awards. Gretchen Hanchett, executive director of the GACC, noted April 9, “We usually have this ceremony at a nice restaurant, but things have changed with COVID-19, so this year Armstrong Telecommunications is hosting it at their facility.” Armstrong, in the county for four years installing fiber-optic cable, is the GACCC Large Business of
the Year. Taking the podium to announce the winners, GACCC member Rod Bieler said, “In partnership with New York state, Armstrong has been working in many parts of Western New York to expand broadband internet access to previously underserved communities. By expanding access to high-speed, affordable and reliable internet, businesses throughout Allegany County are able to establish and grow.” Armstrong’s Shawn Beqaj said the company is almost 70 years old and a family business that originated in Butler, Pa. and now
has an office in Addison, Steuben County. “We’ve gone into the heartland to hook up rural homes with broadband,” Beqaj said, adding that it is a $130 million project — and nearly complete in Allegany County. Once finished in Allegany County, the project will continue in Cattauraugus County. However, once the Belfast warehouse is emptied of equipment, it will be turned into office space for the business. Kirk Beaber, another company representative, told those gathered that the company has installed 2,400 miles of cable and has
another 1,500 miles to install before it is finished in Allegany County. He added that there will be 21 broadband hubs throughout the area, with seven located within Allegany County. State Sen. George Borrello, R-Chautauqua County, and Assemblyman Joe Giglio, R-Gowanda, along with Lee James, a district representative for U.S. Rep. Tom Reed, R-Corning, were on hand for the awards ceremony and they thanked Armstrong for the work its crews have done in the area.
Chamber continued on ..........page 6
BY KATHRYN ROSS
“Virtually every piece of firefighting equipment (and) rescue and ambulance equipment was brought out to honor Pat for his service o the village over the years.” McKinley is a long-time member of the Emerald Hook and Ladder Fire Company and also served on the Wellsville Volunteer Ambulance Corps for many years. But it was a service he started in 2007 that brought kudos from Shayler and others.
WELLSVILLE — April 12 will now be known as Pat McKinley Day in the village of Wellsville, Mayor Randy Shayler declared Monday. The Mayor was on a roll at the village board meeting when he offered up two proclamations. The first recognized April 29 as Arbor Day in the Tree City; the second proclamation honored McKinley for his years of service to the village. The mayor told those gathered for the meeting, Village continued on ..............page 6
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