Connellsville chamber to recognize Davies Ford

For several years, the Greater Connellsville Chamber of Commerce has been honoring longtime businesses for their continued contributions to the area during its annual Winter Wonderland event.

This year, Davies Ford will be recognized. The event will be Jan. 9.

“Every year, a business is chosen, and we are honored to be recognizing Davies Ford this year,” chamber office manager Brooke Deason said. “They are a business from the community that gives back to the community.”

Davis Ford will celebrating 25 years at its Connellsville location and 50 years at its Charleroi site.

Davies Ford co-owner Jim Davies said he is honored to be recognized and is humbled by the award he feels is shared by all of the employees at the business.

“We appreciate that they want to recognize us, and this has truly been a group effort,” Davies said. “It is not just a few of us, but all of us in all the departments who will be recognized.”

Jim Davies' father and co-owner, Hal Davies, founded the Charleroi location in 1966. When they decided to expand, the Connellsville location along Route 119 was opened 25 years later.

“We were looking to expand the business and open another site,” Jim Davies said. “My father knew of this location, and we liked the area, and it's worked out well.”

Jim Davies said that since they were from the Charleroi area and not well-known in this area, they became involved in local groups and organizations and began to become a contributing force in the area.

“We wanted to get out into the community,” Jim Davies said of the many groups and organizations to which they have contributed, sponsored and supported for many years. “Giving back to the community has always been important to us.”

Marty Rottler, longtime Davies Ford advertising and marketing manager, said he did not realize until recently how generous Davies Ford has been during the years to the area.

“It's absolutely amazing,” Rottler said. “It is incredible how far our generosity reaches out.”

Davies Ford has sponsored many events, such as the Fayette County Fair, Mt. Pleasant Glass and Ethnic Car Cruise, Yough River Trail and more.

Davies Ford has held an annual golf outing, using proceeds to offer scholarships to two seniors from three area high schools.

With competition among car dealerships stronger than ever, Rottler said some of the technology Davies Ford will soon employ will put them one step ahead of competitors.

“We are soon going to launch something different on our website that will allow people to take a look at a vehicle using 360 rotation,” Rottler said. “They will actually get to see the entire vehicle and all of its features and not just photos.”

Employing about 75 people at both locations, Davies Ford has been a strong presence in the Fay-West region for decades.

“Davies Ford has been serving the area for 50 years, and obviously, there's not too many companies that can say that in our area,” said Dennis Martin, Greater Connellsville Chamber of Commerce board president. “They not only provide local employment to many individuals, but they also provide a great product and service to the community. They give back in many ways to local charities and offer financial support to many organizations as well as scholarships to many area high school students.

“It's a pleasure to honor Jim Davies and Davies Ford at the Winter Wonderland event,” he added.

The Winter Wonderland event, which will include dinner and music, will begin 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium at the Carnegie Free Library, Connellsville.

Tickets are $45. For reservations, call the chamber at 724-628-5500.

Marilyn Forbes is a contributing writer for Trib Total Media.