A homegrown company, Ohio Valley Marine Service, and owner Butch Branson were honored by their hometown Thursday as the company was named the Henderson Chamber of Commerce's 2011 Industry of the Year.

"The criteria for Industry of the Year is very clear, and in looking at this company and heritage it is fair to say this award is long overdue but well deserved," presenter Doug Bell told an audience of dozens at an awards ceremony.

The award honors a chamber member that has shown leadership in offering educational opportunities to employees, promote employee involvement in community organizations, supports community projects, supports local businesses through purchases of products and services, and strives to grow its work force.

Founded in 1963, Ohio Valley Marine Service provides offers barge repair and harbor and fleeting services to the river transportation industry on the Ohio and Green rivers. Based at Ohio River mile marker 786, the company has grown to 80 employees.

Bell said the company "is very proactive in work force development," including working with the Earle C. Clements Job Corps Academy and the co-op program at Henderson County High School to develop skilled welders. It is also partnering with Henderson Community College for a training program funded by a grant from the American Welding Society.

"When it comes to corporate sponsorships, this company defines what it means to be a good corporate citizen," he said. Ohio Valley Marine has sponsored the WARM Center, the Henderson PCMA Baseball program, the ABA basketball program, Habitat for Humanity of Henderson, the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, RiverBend Academy and the Sandy Lee Watkins Songwriters Festival, Northwest Kentucky Forward's OpporUNITY 2016, Bluegrass in the Park and the W.C. Handy Blues and Barbecue Festival.

"The company has a strong belief in supporting and purchasing local retail products and services" from companies such as Signs Now, Butch and Billy's Diesel Service, A Complete Rental, Altmeyer's Printing, Arc Machine, Rookies, Business Equipment, Double A Service, Skinner Design Associations, Electric Motors and Royster's Machine Shop, Bell said.

"More recently, and perhaps more telling, is the company's lead role in the recently founded and invigorated River Cities Renaissance," he continued. "RCR has taken an integral role in working with the (University of Kentucky) College of Design's River Cities Project, which was recently selected to showcase the possibilities for development of the HMP&L Station One facility. The exhibition will place from April through August next year in The Netherlands and will put Henderson, Ky., on the international stage."

Branson has also introduced a new entertainment venue to the community with his new events barge, which has so far been used for activities ranging from a River Cities news conference to the first-ever Audubon Beer and Wine Festival earlier this month.

After a state of emergency was declared because of flooding here last spring, Branson contacted city and county officials to volunteer his company, equipment and employees to assist with flood relief.

"I was born and raised here," he said at the time. "I have a moral obligation (to help). I feel the need to pay back."

Bell noted that "Captain Butch" Branson has also launched two additional companies: Branko Inc. and Pap's Props LLC.

"What many don't know about this company is how much they care for their work force," Bell said. "With this recent economic downturn, this company stood strong by not laying people off so employees could still collect a paycheck."

"I can't believe it," Branson said in accepting the award. "I'm certainly undeserving, when there are so many other companies in town that put forth more effort than we have."

He credited his employees for putting forth much effort in the company and community, and thanked his wife, Kelle.

"My wife stands behind me 100 percent of the time, even when she thinks I'm wrong -- most of the time," Branson joked.

This marked the second time his company has been honored by the chamber. Ohio Valley Marine Service was named the Industry of the Year among small companies in 2007.

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