BHIVE In Beaver Falls Holds "Wallbreaking" Ceremony

(Matt Drzik/Beaver County Radio)

“It’s time to create some ‘buzz’ in Beaver County.”

Those words from chairperson John Hertneky defined the mood in the room as the BHIVE (Beaver Valley Hub for Innovation, Venture, and Entrepreneurship) had a “wallbreaking” ceremony at their location at 1317 7th Avenue in Beaver Falls on February 17. The former site of Adagio Health and WIC offices downtown will now be a space for those who want to start a business to gather, conversate, and use resources that are meant to help them get started and keep going.

The current front of the BHIVE, located at 1317 7th Avenue in Beaver Falls.

Beaver County’s Corporation for Economic Development (CED) owns the BHIVE, and hosted the event on Friday, joining representatives from several groups who are also assisting with the new hub: Geneva College, Penn State Beaver, the Community College of Beaver County, the City of Beaver Falls, the Beaver County Chamber of Commerce, the Beaver County Commissioners, and Job Training of Beaver County. State Senator Elder Vogel and State Representative Jim Marshall were also in attendance.

CED president Lew Villotti presided over the ceremony, praising the progress and support that has made the BHIVE approach closer to its full reality. “This is different and important for Beaver County,” he stated. “The many businesses that will spin out of here will need a place to go, and we want to make sure that place is Beaver County.”

It was a packed room for the wallbreaking ceremony, with Beaver County CED President Lew Villotti (center, nearest to the helmets) presiding.

One major component of the BHIVE will be the “Beaver Valley LaunchBox” program, provided in conjunction with Penn State University’s Beaver County branch. The resources for young entrepreneurs and business owners will be free to use through Penn State Beaver and several local donors to the program. “We expect the BHIVE to diversify businesses, and attract and retain young people,” spoke PSB chancellor Jen Cushman. “We’re doing more than just swinging a sledgehammer at a wall…I’d like to think we’re also on our way to breaking down some of the walls that stand in the way of inclusive prosperity in Beaver County.

The renovation of the building comes at a cost of $1,468,050, with 50% of the cost provided through a Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant which matches the other 50% provided by the CED. “All of this excitement can’t go away,” Villotti stated. “This will require additional funding.”

The eight honorary “wallbreakers” included Cushman, Marshall, Vogel, Hertneky, Beaver Falls mayor Dr. Kenya Johns, County Commissioners Jack Manning and Tony Amadio, and Geneva College entrepreneurship professor Dr. Curtis Songer.

To see pictures from the ceremony, check out the gallery below.