Porter Tire Receives 2026 NEKY Small Business Legacy Award

OLIVE HILL, Ky – Porter Tire & Auto Service was recognized as the 2026 recipient of the NEKY Small Business Legacy Award during the Kentucky Small Business Development Center’s annual award breakfast Tuesday, Sept. 1.

The award recognizes a small business that has made a lasting impact through its longevity, contributions and commitment to its community.

For the Porter family, the recognition represents more than six decades of hard work and dedication.

“We were very honored to be recognized with the 2026 NEKY Small business legacy award. It was a welcome recognition for a lot of hard work and determination that has come from three generations,” said Jennifer Harris, who operates Porter Tire alongside her brother, Scott Porter.

Porter Tire’s story began in 1960, when Edward (Edd) Porter and his father, Everett, opened Porter Service Station, a gas station that also provided mechanic work. As the business grew, the Porters began selling new and used tires.

In 1966, Edd purchased his father’s share of the business so Everett could retire. Edd and his wife, Hope, continued to operate and grow the business. 

In 1970, Edd and his brother-in-law, Buck (Buell) Stevens, opened B&S Retreading, which operated into the early 1980s.

Over the years, Porter Tire has continued to adapt to changing times while maintaining the customer service that has been central to the business since its beginning.

“This family owned business has been progressively changing with the times while keeping the same quality friendly customer service,” Harris said.

Edd is now retired, and Hope passed away in 2021. Today, the business is operated by their son, Scott Porter, and daughter, Jennifer Harris. 

Several extended family members have also worked at Porter Tire throughout the years.

For the next generation of the family, Porter Tire was also a familiar part of childhood. Edd and Hope’s three granddaughters have fond memories of playing in the office after school.

The business has also expanded its role in the community through tire recycling and reuse.

In 1988, Porter Tire began shredding and disposing of scrap tires. In 2008, the business implemented equipment to recycle tires into Tire Derived Fuel (TDF) chips, which are used as fuel by power plants and other industries across the country.

In 2012, Porter Tire installed additional equipment to process rubber into playground material and rubber mulch, further expanding the ways the business can keep used tires out of landfills and put the material into a reusable market.

Edd Porter summed up the company’s evolution and the people who have helped make its continued success possible.

“The business has evolved over the years and has seen many changes,” he said. “The Lord has blessed us with many wonderful loyal customers as well as employees. We are very thankful for each of them.”

That loyalty has extended across generations of customers. Harris said many customers have shared memories of visiting Porter Tire as children with their fathers or grandfathers and have continued to bring their business to the family-owned company.

The Porter family hopes to continue that tradition of service for years to come.

“We hope Porter Tire can continue to service our community and provide the quality friendly products and service they have come to expect for many years to come,” Harris said.