Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) FY 2020 Update June 2020
Region III Planning and Development Council (Serving Boone, Clay, Kanawha and Putnam Counties)
315 D Street South Charleston, WV 25303 (304) 744-4258
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Table of Contents
Page
I. Introduction and Purpose 3
II. Changes in the Region 4
A. Activities 8
B. In the Regional Economy 9
C. Demographics 19
III. Assessment of Progress in FY 2020 20
Boone County 21 Clay County 28 Kanawha County 34 Putnam County 40 RIC Progress Report 46
IV. Economic Resilience 52
V. Goals, Objectives and Strategies 53
VI. Regional and County Priority Listing 57
VII. FY 2020 CEDS Advisory Committee 70
VIII. Appendix 73
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I. Introduction and Purpose
This document represents the FY 2020 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Annual Report for Boone, Clay, Kanawha and Putnam counties of the Regional Intergovernmental Council (RIC).
The report describes economic development activities and proposed projects within the 4-county region. Our local governments and development agencies were asked to submit their projects for the CEDS process. Our CEDS Committee then convened to review and prioritize the projects.
It should be noted and recognized that since the inception of the CEDS for Boone, Clay, Kanawha and Putnam counties, millions of dollars have been invested in economic development projects that are listed and tracked through this CEDS report.
The CEDS process is long and involved, seeking time and effort from many individuals and organizations throughout the community. The CEDS for the Boone, Clay, Kanawha and Putnam counties are successful due to collaboration and outreach.
This report is a compilation of efforts by staff and volunteers to critique all economic development activities within the region.
The FY 2020 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) will go before the RIC Board for approval on June 11, 2020.
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II. Changes in the Region
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Within the Regional Council
COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVE Boone County Commission Eddie Hendricks Clay County Commission Connie Kinder Kanawha County Commission W. Kent Carper Putnam County Commission Andy Skidmore Town of Bancroft Donna McKneely Town of Belle David Fletcher Town of Buffalo Conrad Cain Town of Cedar Grove James Hudnall City of Charleston Amy Shuler Goodwin Town of Chesapeake Jack Lavender Town of Clay Josh Shamblin Town of Clendenin Kay Summers Town of Danville Mark McClure City of Dunbar William E. Cunningham Town of East Bank Charles A. Blair, II Town of Eleanor Cam Clendenin Town of Glasgow Donald Fannin Town of Handley Essie Ford, Jr. City of Hurricane Scott Edwards City of Madison Buddy Hudson City of Marmet Jay Snodgrass City of Nitro Dave Casebolt Town of Poca William Jones Town of Pratt Eric Holcomb City of St. Albans Scott James City of South Charleston Frank Mullens Town of Sylvester Harvey Ferrell Town of Whitesville Fred V. Harless, Jr. Town of Winfield Randy Barrett Boone County Citizens Representative Kris Mitchell Clay County Citizens Representative Barry McCune Kanawha County Citizens Representative John Luoni Putnam County Citizens Representative Mark A. Stolle, Jr. City of Charleston Citizens Representative Lawrence J. Malone RIC Minority Representative Oree Banks RIC Minority Representative Coston Davis, Jr. Private Sector Representative (Education) Heather Raines, BridgeValley CTC Private Sector Representative Joy Underwood, Coal River Inn Private Sector Representative (Workforce Development) S.K. Miller, Verizon Mid-Atlantic, Retired Private Sector Representative (Labor) Todd Mullins, Kanawha Valley Labor Council Private Sector Representative (Chamber of Commerce) Jeri Adkins, Charleston Area Alliance Private Sector Representative (WVDOH) Brian Carr, WV Division of Highways Private Sector Representative (KVRTA) Doug Hartley, KVRTA Private Sector Representative Damron Bradshaw, Bradshaw Consulting Services Private Sector Representative Anne Cavalier, Cavalier Business Development Private Sector Representative Trina Sweeney, West Virginia State University Private Sector Representative Eric Sharp, Labor Employees Cooperative Trust Private Sector Representative Lee Roberts, Tornado Products
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RIC Staff
Executive Director Colt Sandoro
Deputy Executive Director Amy Talbert
Administrative Assistant Joanna Keller
Planning Director Kara Greathouse
Transportation Planner Kelsey Tucker
Transportation Planner Sam Richardson
Project Administrator SoJuana Ellis
Project Coordinator Terry Martin
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RIC Officers
Chair Anne Cavalier Private Sector Representative
First Vice-Chair William E. Cunningham Mayor, City of Dunbar
Second Vice-Chair Jay Snodgrass Mayor, City of Marmet
Third Vice-Chair S. K. Miller Private Sector Representative
Treasurer/Secretary Damron Bradshaw Private Sector Representative
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A. Activities
Water and Sewer infrastructure, broadband infrastructure, and technology remain very important to our region. Region III serves Boone, Clay, Kanawha and Putnam counties and continues to provide technical assistance, project development and project administration to each county. Water and sewer infrastructure development is vital as these services are needed to enhance our region’s economic opportunities. During 2019, RIC administered many infrastructure, community and economic development projects, including:
• Boone County Prenter Road Phase II Waterline Extension • Boone County Morrisvale/Cameo Waterline Extension • Belle Sewer Rehabilitation Project • Town of Clay Blue Knob Waterline Extension • Town of Clay Emergency Improvements Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation • TechConnectWV NextUp Project • Region III Hazard Mitigation Plan • Greater Saint Albans PSD Phase II Sewer Line Extension • West Dunbar PSD Sewer Line Rehabilitation • Kanawha PSD Sewer Extension • Putnam County Manila Ridge Waterline Extension
RIC also assisted in the development of additional infrastructure, community and economic development projects, including:
• Putnam County Jim Ridge Phase II Waterline Extension • Town of Cedar Grove Line Rehabilitation Project • Clay County PSD Big Otter/Nebo/Walker Road Waterline Project • Boone County PSD Wastewater Treatment Expansion • Boone County PSD Wastewater Line and Pump Station Rehabilitation Project • Boone County PSD Rock Creek Development Infrastructure Projects • Boone Raleigh PSD Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation • HUD Disaster Recovery projects for Clay and Kanawha Counties • Boone County Foster Phase I Sewer Line Extension • Clay Calhoun Roane Broadband Project • TechConnectWV – TKWKS Project • TechConnectWV – SBA PATH Project • Putnam PSD Sewer Extension to Martin Peterbilt with US EDA funding • Putnam PSD Water treatment improvement Project with US EDA funding • Yeager Airport for its improvements to support Marshall University Flight School • Upper Kanawha Valley Economic Development Corporation Financial Records Maintenance
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B. In the Regional Economy
The Regional Intergovernmental Council (RIC) serves local governments within the four-county region of Boone, Clay, Kanawha and Putnam counties. One of 11 Regional Planning and Development Councils located within the state of West Virginia and designated as Region III, RIC provides an array of services which support economic development, planning and inter- governmental cooperation. Region III features a mix of high-tech manufacturing and value-laden businesses as well as rich, mining based working lands.
Region III, along with the rest of the State of West Virginia, continues to experience the negative impact of the once thriving, coal industry. Despite the difficult and extenuating circumstances, economic activity has developed in Region III as described in the following components of this report.
The interstate highway system that serves Region III includes I-64, I-77 and I-79. This interstate system has largely been responsible for Region III’s growth as a major distribution center. The river, rail, air, and highway network has been a stimulus to all sectors of the economy and allows Region III ease of trade with all other areas in the nation. Appalachian Corridor G connects southern West Virginia (Boone-Logan) with the Interstates in Charleston.
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Low energy prices and declining coal production have hurt the economy in West Virginia. The steady decline in coal production has been followed by the closing of many mines within the region resulting in a significant amount of job layoffs and economic downturn. The region continues to be negatively impacted by the downward trend of the coal industry. Innovative and entrepreneurial ideas are what economists are saying could bring the state of West Virginia some form of relief and ultimately, growth. The POWER (Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization) is a congressionally funded initiative that is comprised of multiple agencies and makes federal resources available to help communities and regions that have been affected by job losses in coal mining, coal power plant operations, and coal-related supply chain industries due to the changing economics of America's energy production. Federal resources are obtained to help these affected areas to promote economic re-growth, enhance diversity, and accentuate alternative job training in hopes of developing opportunities for reemployment.
To date, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has awarded $195 million through the POWER Initiative to help coal-impacted communities in 350 Appalachian counties diversify and grow their economies. These 242 investments are projected to create or retain almost 23,000 jobs, leverage an additional $900 million in investment, and prepare thousands of workers and students with globally competitive skills and opportunities in the Region's manufacturing, technology, entrepreneurship, agriculture, and other emerging sectors.
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Source: Data, Chart and Award Summaries Obtained from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC).
2019 – 2020 POWER Grant Award Summaries Influencing Region III:
Growing Capacity: Integrating Agri-Development Centers in Central Appalachia Grantee: Sprouting Farms Corporation Award Amount: $1,499,993 Announcement Date: October 2019 Project Summary: ARC grant to Sprouting Farms Corporation in Talcott, WV for the Growing Capacity: Integrating Agri-Development Centers in Central Appalachia project. Sprouting Farms, in collaboration with nine key partners, will build upon existing food system work in Central Appalachia by creating a network of Agri-Development Centers in West Virginia and Southwest Virginia. These Centers will support the scaling of agricultural production to meet the needs of additional wholesale markets as well as build a workforce development network that creates a pipeline of skilled, reliable workers. Project activities will support the expansion of a wholesale production incubator program for beginning farmers; the 58 integration of existing post- production and culinary workforce training programs for youth and adults who are unemployed, in recovery, or previously incarcerated; and the development of replicable food enterprise and workforce development programs for partners across Central Appalachia. Sprouting Farms projects that this project will serve 152 business, create 125 new jobs, and leverage $1.4 million in private investment across 16 counties in central Appalachia. Other federal funding is being provided by the USDA Local Food Promotion Program, a Rural Business Development grant, and the Abandoned Mine Lands pilot program. Additional support for the work in West Virginia is being provided by the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation.
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Fostering Advantages for Startups and Entrepreneurial Resurgence (FASTER) in WV Grantee: Advantage Valley Award Amount: $1,055,001 Announcement Date: October 2019 Project Summary: ARC grant to Advantage Valley in Charleston, WV and the Wyoming County Economic Development Authority in Pineville, WV for Fostering Advantages for Startups and Entrepreneurial Resurgence (FASTER) in West Virginia. This program is designed to encourage economic diversification, business growth, and job creation within a seven-county region of West Virginia. FASTER will partner with local economic development authorities, educational institutions, and business incubators to foster startups and business expansion. The project consists of two components: technical assistance to entrepreneurs and businesses through Advantage Valley and its contractors (a $930,001 grant to Advantage Valley); and recapitalizing a revolving loan fund operated by the Wyoming County Economic Development Authority (a grant of $150,000). The loan fund will be limited to businesses referred by Advantage Valley. Together they will provide entrepreneurial training, business coaching, certifications, and a capital lending fund. FASTER anticipates the creation of at least 50 new businesses, 60 credentialed entrepreneurs, and 150 new jobs, while leveraging $4.5 million in private investment. Additional funding is being provided by the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, Bridge Valley Community and Technical College, and Unlimited Future, Inc.
Geographic Food and Agriculture Systems Development Grantee: West Virginia Food & Farm Coalition, Inc. Award Amount: $1,020,556 Announcement Date: February 2019 Project Summary: ARC grant to the West Virginia Food & Farm Coalition in Charleston, WV, for the Geographic Food and Agriculture Systems Development project. The project will provide coordination, capacity building, training, and technical assistance to enable farmers, food businesses, and community members to determine and execute agribusiness priorities. This will result in increased food production and access to previously unreachable markets, thereby creating greater economic diversity for areas that have been heavily impacted by the decline in coal production. The project will deploy seed capital, in the form of mini grants, to attract private dollars and execute larger-scale projects that strengthen the local food system. The West Virginia Food & Farm Coalition will strengthen the local food supply chain, increase market opportunities for local growers, including more than 75 food-related entrepreneurs, and attract private investment in five foodsheds that span seventeen coal-impacted counties of West Virginia. Additional funding for the project is provided by the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation and the Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation.
Broadband Infrastructure to Augment Education and Industry Cluster Development at the West Virginia Regional Technology Park Grantee: West Virginia Regional Technology Park Corp. Award Amount: $650,000 Announcement Date: October 2019 Project Summary: ARC grant to the West Virginia Regional Technology Park Corp. in South Charleston, WV for the Broadband Infrastructure to Augment Education and Industry Cluster Development at the West Virginia Regional Technology Park project. The project will construct a fiber ring around 12 buildings in the West Virginia Regional Technology Park. Currently only half
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Creating a More Vibrant Economy for Coal-Impacted Counties in West Virginia Grantee: Center for Rural Health Development Award Amount: $100,000 Announcement Date: February 2019 Project Summary: ARC grant to the Center for Rural Health Development in Hurricane, WV, for the Creating a More Vibrant Economy for Coal-Impacted Counties in West Virginia project. The project will provide technical assistance for the development of a Community Health Improvement Plan in each of five targeted distressed West Virginia counties (Calhoun, Logan, McDowell, Roane, and Webster). Each plan will be developed by a cross sector partnership involving government agencies, private businesses, education, economic development organizations, health care organizations, and residents in each county. The project will build capacity through a model of change that was developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO). The project aims to create a culture of health which will help prevent future opioid use and help stymie expansion of the current opioid crisis. Financial partners include the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation.
Benefit U: An Entrepreneur’s Guide to Financial, Health Insurance & Retirement Solutions Grantee: Women’s Institute for a Secure Retirement Award Amount: $80,691 Announcement Date: February 2019 Project Summary: ARC grant to the Women’s Institute for a Secure Retirement (WISER) in Washington, D.C., for Benefit U: An Entrepreneur’s Guide to Financial, Health Insurance, and Retirement Solutions. Targeting five distressed counties in West Virginia (Boone, Logan, McDowell, Mingo, and Wyoming), WISER will develop Benefit U to serve as a virtual human relations department for entrepreneurs, self-employed workers, independent contractors, and other workers without access to benefits resources. Benefit U will include paycheck guidance, income tax assistance programs, health insurance navigators, emergency and long-term savings advice, and financial education and retirement planning tools.
Craft Beer and Spirit Trail Grantee: Marshall University Research Corporation Award Amount: $79,270 Announcement Date: February 2019 Project Summary: ARC grant to the Marshall University Research Corporation, in Huntington, WV for the Craft Beer and Spirit Trail project. The project will conduct an economic impact study of the emerging craft beer and spirits industry in central and western West Virginia counties (Cabell, Kanawha, Putnam, and Roane). The study will identify emerging strengths, existing leakages, and new business and employment opportunities to guide local economic development
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FY 2020 CEDS leaders. Project activities will include asset mapping, leakage monitoring, and guidance to establish a road map for building local efforts into a cohesive regional program for the craft beer and spirits trail. Key partners include the WV Department of Tourism, Putnam County Economic Development Authority, Huntington Area Development Corporation, Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the Charleston Area Alliance.
Linking Trails and Communities to Spawn Economic Growth and Wellness: Expanding the Southern West Virginia Bike Trail Network Grantee: New River Gorge Trail Alliance Award Amount: $59,500 Announcement Date: February 2019 Project Summary: ARC grant to the New River Gorge Trail Alliance (NRGTA) in Fayetteville, WV, for the Linking Trails and Communities to Spawn Economic Growth and Wellness: Expanding the Southern West Virginia Bike Trail Network project. The project will guide the expansion of the current regional trail network to add five counties: Kanawha, Monroe, Raleigh, Summers, and Webster. Key partners include the Rails to Trails Conservancy, WV Division of Highways, Region 4 Planning and Development Council, and the National Park Service. The project will support community engagement for trail towns, trail vision mapping, capacity building for local trail organizations, and trail mapping, which includes rail corridor and road inventory, rail and trail assessment, and trail feasibility efforts. The trail planning documents will serve as a comprehensive roadmap for communities to transform an unused railroad corridor or other areas into a dynamic multi-use trail and will produce trail town toolkits to benefit all eight counties along the trail.
Fostering Self ESTEAM in Appalachia's Emerging Workforce Grantee: The Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education Award Amount: $1,431,549 Announcement Date: October 2019 Project Summary: ARC grant to The Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education in Charleston, WV for the Fostering Self ESTEAM in Appalachia's Emerging Workforce project. SelfESTEAM will infuse entrepreneurship into the region’s STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) initiatives to graduate a workforce of entrepreneurially minded students poised to recognize and create solutions to gaps within their local economy. The project is a collaborative effort between EntreEd, the EdVenture Group, the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship, the National Center for Resource Development, and local community college and education agency partners. The project will offer professional development programming for educators, award an official “America’s Entrepreneurial Schools” designation for participating schools, and provide minigrants for schools that pursue ESTEAM integration. Targeting middle and high school students across seven Appalachian states, the two-year program will deliver high- quality teacher training and support STEAM-focused entrepreneurship projects to reach 51 Appalachian counties and a potential 75 rural school districts. The project will expand best practices from EntreEd’s previously awarded POWER grant. Additional funding is being provided by the Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation.
Enhancing the Economic Impact of Rural Hospitals and Health Centers Grantee: Partners in Health Network, Inc. Award Amount: $49,974
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Announcement Date: October 2019 Project Summary: ARC grant to Partners in Health Network, Inc. in Charleston, WV for the Enhancing the Economic Impact of Rural Hospitals and Health Centers project. The project will prepare a feasibility study for expanding the Appalachian Pulmonary Health Project to additional critical access rural hospital and healthcare facilities in 12 medically underserved counties in Kentucky, West Virginia, and North Carolina that have been adversely affected by the downturn in the coal economy. The study will help members of the Partners in Health Network plan for this large-scale implementation to achieve economic development and recovery by maintaining necessary health services, preserving and expanding the rural health infrastructure, and contributing to a ready and healthy workforce.
Map of Census Tracts in Region 3 in Distress
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US EDA Award to TechConnectWV for TechWrx WV
The West Virginia Coalition for Technology Based Economic Development in South Charleston received a $500,000 grant from the federal Economic Development Authority (EDA) to help launch TechWrx West Virginia. TechWrx West Virginia is an entrepreneurial development initiative, which will provide an entrepreneur development and assessment tool, stage entrepreneurial expos that will benefit 40 counties, and provide enhanced commercialization opportunities for regional entrepreneurs. The projects also includes Opportunity Zone training for entrepreneurs and startups. The grant, to be matched with $125,000 in state funds, is expected to help create 25 jobs, retain 50 jobs, and generate $2 million in private investments.
Groundbreaking held for Facebook Broadband Project A groundbreaking ceremony was held in November 2019 to mark the beginning of the construction of a high capacity fiber optic cable network crossing through West Virginia to bring more bandwidth and last-mile connectivity to the state. In March 2019 social media giant Facebook announced that they will enter the fiber transport industry and initiated a subsidiary, Middle Mile Infrastructure, to act as a wholesale career for a 600-mile route connecting data centers in Ashburn, Virginia and Columbus, Ohio with 275 miles of high-capacity line running through West Virginia. Construction of the fiber route is expected to take 18 to 24 months to complete.
Photo from the Office of Governor Jim Justice
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Marshall University Bill Noe Flight School at Yeager Airport
The Marshall University Bill Noe Flight School is scheduled to open at Yeager Airport in August 2021. The school has purchased three planes and is entering a lease agreement with Yeager Airport for land to build hangers and a classroom building. The curriculum will train students to become certified commercial airline pilots with courses taken at Marshall’s South Charleston campus and at the Bill Noe Flight School to be located at Yeager Airport.
Marshall University plans to bring in approximately 25 students to the program during the fall 2021 term and by 2025 they hope to have 150 students in full-time enrolment. Based on anticipated growth, they are estimating an annual graduating class of approximately 45 students per year. The demand for qualified pilots remains high and it is predicted that 90% of students graduating from the Flight School will be employed by a regional airline, corporate air fleet or commercial cargo carrier.
Marshall University was awarded $1.5 million from the Maier Foundation to help assist in the development of the university’s aviation program. The award will aid in the construction and equipping of a new academic building for the program.
The Bill Noe Flight School will contribute greatly to improving the local economy and expanding economic development in the region. Not only will the new Flight School expand the aerospace industry in West Virginia, the additional buildings at Yeager Airport, the future residence hall at Marshall’s South Charleston campus and the hiring of new faculty and staff will generate an estimated $19 million in total output, $5.8 million in labor income and the equivalent of a 118 full- time jobs.
Yeager Airport is receiving a $4.8 million Airport Grant from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The funds are being administered by the Federal Aviation Administration (FFA) and will help to ensure that Yeager Airport remains safe and open for travel during the COVID-19 pandemic. Yeager Airport functions as an essential service provider during a public health emergency by playing a vital role in transporting emergency medical equipment and personnel as well as, providing air transportation services for essential passengers, air cargo, mail, law enforcement and the military.
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Yeager Airport and Spirit Airlines announced a new nonstop flight to Orlando International Airport that began on February 14, 2020 and will run year-round three days a week. The new flight offers lower airfares and is expected to generate an additional 25,000 more enplanements and passengers through Yeager Airport each year. Yeager Airport received a $3.1 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to reimburse the airport for debris-removal caused by a 2015 landslide that damaged to the safety overrun area and destroyed several buildings. This $3.1 million grant is the final portion of funding for the airport in relation to the landslide and will be enough to pay off the debris-removal debt and some additional debt associated with the new Capital Jet Center.
US ED Grant Received for Regional Workforce Analysis
Marshall University Corporation in Huntington will receive $57,375 from the US Economic Development Authority to enable the Robert C. Byrd Institute to complete a regional workforce analysis for 23 counties in central and southern West Virginia, including Boone, Clay, Kanawha and Putnam counties. The analysis will specifically focus on the diversification of the economy which has declined as a result of the downturn in the coal industry. The regional workforce analysis is expected to be completed by fall 2020. The grant is matched with $57,375 in local funds and is expected to generate $54,875 in private investments through Appalachian Power’s commitment to the project. A similar effort in eastern Kentucky provided economic development officials with workforce data that has resulted in $2 billion in capital investment and the creation of 3,000 jobs. The West Virginia study will aid in preparing the state’s workforce to transition to other occupations as well as attract new jobs and capital investment in sectors that might benefit from the abundant skills of the region’s workforce.
Transportation Alternatives and Recreational Trails Program Grants Governor Jim Justice and West Virginia Department of Transportation (WVDOT) Secretary Byrd White awarded 38 Transportation Alternatives and Recreational Trails Program grants, worth $7,414,975 in total, for projects in 27 West Virginia counties. The West Virginia Transportation Alternatives and Recreational Trails Program is administered by the WVDOT and funded by the Federal Highway Administration. These grants help towns and cities build and improve sidewalks, lighting, and rail trails. The following grants were awarded in Region 3. BOONE COUNTY Town of Danville $100,000 Park Avenue and Phipps Avenue Walking Improvements
City of Madison $85,000 Madison Riverside Drive Sidewalks
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BOONE, KANAWHA, LINCOLN, MCDOWELL, MERCER, MINGO, WAYNE & WYOMING COUNTIES Hatfield McCoy Regional Recreational Authority $100,000 Biological Assessment and Programmatic Agreement Development
CLAY COUNTY Regional Intergovernmental Council $50,000 Clay Sidewalk Improvements Phase 1
KANAWHA COUNTY City of Dunbar $90,000 Grosscup Avenue ADA Sidewalk
City of Nitro $487,500 Nitro Second Avenue Streetscape
C. Demographics
The table below displays the amounts of civilian labor force, total employment, total unemployment and percentages of unemployment rates for each of the four counties in Region III. As of February 2020, the State of West Virginia had an overall unemployment rate of 5.4 percent.
Civilian Labor Force Civilian Labor Force Total Employment Total Unemployment Unemployment Rate County Mar 2019 Mar 2020 Mar 2019 Mar 2020 Mar 2019 Mar 2020 Mar 2019 Mar 2020
Boone 7,310 6,920 400 5.4 % %
Clay 3,110 2,830 290 9.3 % %
Kanawha 81,130 77,090 4,040 5.0% %
Putnam 25,900 24,650 1,250 4.8% % Information in table obtained from WorkForce West Virginia
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III. Assessment of Progress in FY 2020
This section of the report captures details and descriptions of activities within each of the region’s four counties.
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BOONE COUNTY
Boone County Courthouse
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Boone County was formed in 1847 from portions of Kanawha, Cabell, and Logan Counties. The County was named after Daniel Boone, a noted hunter and explorer, who made his home in the Great Kanawha Valley from 1788 to 1795. Located in southwestern West Virginia, Boone County borders Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan, Wyoming and Raleigh Counties. Madison is the county seat, with three other municipalities of Danville, Whitesville and Sylvester, nearby. The Madison/Danville area of Boone County is approximately 37 miles south of Charleston. The county area is 503 square miles and lies in the Appalachian Plateau. Most of the area is divided by streams and water courses, which give the region the appearance of an endless formation of hills and contrasting valleys.
Distance to Major Cities from Madison, West Virginia
Atlanta………………………………………………………………………… 517 miles Chicago………………………………………………………………………… 512 miles Cincinnati……………………………………………………………………… 222 miles Cleveland……………………………………………………………………… 281 miles Columbus……………………………………………………………………… 241 miles Lexington……………………………………………………………………… 181 miles New York……………………………………………………………………… 560 miles Pittsburgh……………………………………………………………………… 257 miles Washington, DC……………………………………………………………...… 391 miles
TRANSPORTATION
Highways One U.S. and two state highways serve Boone County. Providing service to Madison and Danville is U. S. 119 (Corridor G) which connects with Charleston, West Virginia and the State of Pennsylvania to the northeast; and with Logan and Williamson, West Virginia and the State of Kentucky to the south.
Public Transportation Tri-River Transit in Hamlin, Lincoln County, provides limited local transit service in Boone County. Routes include Clothier to Madison and Wharton to Madison. The Boone County community organization provides various transportation services for senior services.
Rail Service The CSX system supplies freight service to the communities in Boone County.
Air Service The nearest commercial airport is Yeager Airport at Charleston, with 37 miles.
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UTILITIES
Water Boone County PSD supplies water to Madison and Danville and the major portion of Boone County. Much of the water is supplied by West Virginia American Water Company through public-private partnership.
Electric American Electric Power (AEP) provides electric power throughout Boone County.
Gas and Other Natural gas is supplied by Ashford Gas, Southern Public Service Company, Pennzoil and Hope Natural Gas, Inc. Coal, fuel oil and propane are readily available from local suppliers.
Broadband Mapping of Broadband Fixed Wireline Speeds in Boone County as of December 2018, provided by the West Virginia Broadband Enhancement Council.
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The following “Quality of Life” facts exist in Boone County: • Low crime rate • County-wide 911 service and ambulance service • 8 fully equipped volunteer fire departments • Two National Blue-Ribbon Schools • Three WV Schools of Excellence • Hatfield-McCoy Trail Visitors’ Center • Fully staffed hospital in Madison • Nursing and Rehabilitation Center • Housing Complexes for Seniors and the Elderly • Public libraries in Madison, Whitesville, Wharton and Racine • Public Transportation • 8 Community and Recreational Centers • Waterways Park • County and Municipal Parks and Pools • Fishing and Hunting Facilities • National Mine Disasters Memorial • National Historic District at Nellis • Coal Heritage Museum in Madison • County Courthouse on National Register of Historic Places • Annual Festivals in Madison, Danville, Whitesville & Sylvester • Miles of beautiful, scenic trails for outdoor, recreational use • Four-lane Highway Access • Thirty-minute drive to State Capitol • Rail and Motor Carrier Freight Service • 3-Mile Walking Trail in Madison to promote Wellness
Economy
Boone County, an area that has relied and thrived primarily on coal production continues to struggle after the closure of several mines in the area. The county is diversifying with job opportunities being created outside of the coal industry. Appalachian Corridor G, which runs through Boone County, promotes residential and commercial development. Tourism also brings business opportunities to Boone County, the county’s 70-mile section of the Hatfield-McCoy Recreation Trails offer outdoor recreational opportunities to off-road enthusiasts, including ATV riders and motorcyclists. Hundreds of kayak and canoe enthusiasts also tour the Walhonde Water Trail each year, which is recognized nationally as a premier water trail with several access points located in Boone County.
Despite these initiatives, the economy is still heavily dependent on the coal industry and needs to continue to identify new opportunities for economic growth. In addition to struggling with the loss of coal related jobs, Boone County is also facing an opioid epidemic that is costing the economy an estimated $206.5 million a year. The unemployment rate has increased from 5.4% in March 2019 to 7.7% in March 2020.
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Clay County Phased Broadband Designed Project
The Clay County Commission received a $150,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for the Clay County Phased Broadband Designed project. This project will enable the Clay County Commission to build upon its broadband feasibility study with technical project designs for broadband development. The county will proceed into a design phase of its broadband development initiative with network designs, cost estimates, and development of public-private partnerships, in eligible areas. This design phase will enable the county to pursue infrastructure funds for broadband projects that will improve connectivity for residents and businesses in low-to-moderate income areas which have poor service or no service.
Appalachian Botanical Co. Appalachian Botanical Co. is a 35- acre lavender farm with 70,000 plants located on a plot of reclaimed mining land in Ashford. According to Jocelyn Sheppard, founder, and president of Appalachian Botanical Co. their goal is to farm 120 acres by 2021. The lavender farm started in 2018 with the initial planting in May 2018 and the first big harvest planned for June 2020. Ms. Sheppard co-wrote an Appalachian Regional Commission power grant in 2016 that supported a high value botanical on reclaimed mining land which resulted in the Four Mile Mountain a former Prichard surface mine being reclaimed as a lavender farm. When that project ended in 2017 Ms. Sheppard stated that she wanted to move the idea forward as a commercial enterprise. In 2019 Appalachian Botanical Co. had about 35 workers onsite and that number grows close to 100 during peak growing season, with about 10 full-time employees being retained during off-peak months. A broad scope of workers with various backgrounds are welcome with 90% of workers coming from Boone County. Once the lavender leaves the farm it is transported to Mystic Formulations, a processing laboratory in Charleston, where the oil is extracted through a steam distillation process. The lavender oil industry is a $7 billion industry annually and with a global marketplace, lavender has boundless possibilities. Jocelyn Sheppard was recognized by the “Power of Performance Awards” at the Second Annual Small Communities, Big Solutions Conference in Charleston where she earned an award in the category of “Putting people to work”. More information about Appalachian Botanical Co. can be found at www.appalachianbotanical.com.
Regional Intergovernmental Council – Region III 25
FY 2020 CEDS
Boone Magnolia Boutique The Boone Magnolia Boutique owned by Lori Whited on Country Corner Circle in Danville, held its grand opening on August 17, 2019. The boutique sells handmade items and clothing, as well as coffee and baked goods. The store sells merchandise for over 35 different artists from all over West Virginia and also from California, Pennsylvania, Utah and Wisconsin.
Jc Sports Sales Joey Gillispie opened Jc Sports Sales, a bait and tackle shop in Madison to cater to the anglers in the area. The shop carries soft and hard lures, reels, poles, spinners, and live bait. Mr. Gillispie is also planning on expanding into hunting gear. Jc Sports Sales is located at 404 State Street in Madison and is open from 8:00 am – 8 pm Monday through Saturday.
Top Ten Employers in Boone County
1. Boone County Board of Education 2. Blackhawk Mining, LLC 3. Boone Memorial Hospital 4. Contura Energy (formerly Alpha Natural Resources) 5. Panhandle Support Services, Inc 6. Boone County Commission 7. Hillcrest Health Care Center, LLC 8. Black Oak Mining, LLC 9. Kroger 10. Loved Ones In-Home Care, LLC
Source: Workforce WV, March 2019
Regional Intergovernmental Council – Region III 26
FY 2020 CEDS
Boone Boone County - People Quick Facts County Population, 2019 estimate 21,457 Population, 2018 estimate 21,951 Population, 2010 (April 1) estimates base 24,627 Population, percent change - April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2019 -12.9% Population, percent change - April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2018 -10.9% Population, 2010 24,629 High school graduate or higher, percent of persons age 25+, 2014-2018 79.7% Bachelor's degree or higher, percent of persons age 25+, 2014-2018 8.4% Veterans, 2014-2018 1,389 Mean travel time to work (minutes), workers age 16+, 2014-2018 34.1 Housing units, 2018 11,166 Owner-occupied housing unit rate, 2014-2018 75.6% Median value of owner-occupied housing units, 2014-2018 $69,900 Households, 2014-2018 9,148 Persons per household, 2014-2018 2.48 Per capita income in past 12 months (2018 dollars), 2014-2018 $21,394 Median household income, 2014-2018 $38,642 Persons in poverty, percent 22.5% Source: United States Census Bureau
Regional Intergovernmental Council – Region III 27
FY 2020 CEDS
CLAY COUNTY
Historic Clay County Courthouse
Regional Intergovernmental Council – Region III 28
FY 2020 CEDS
Clay County was formed in 1858 from parts of Braxton, Kanawha and Nicholas counties. Named in honor of Henry Clay, a Kentucky statesman, Clay County is located in central West Virginia. The county area is 346.61 square miles and the 2010 census shows a population of 9,386. Most of the county has an elevation of 1,000 feet or greater above sea level. The county seat is the Town of Clay, located 42 miles from Charleston, West Virginia.
Distance to Major Cities from Clay
Atlanta………………………………………………………………………… 511 miles Chicago………………………………………………………………………… 589 miles Cincinnati……………………………………………………………………… 301 miles Cleveland……………………………………………………………………… 294 miles Columbus……………………………………………………………………… 205 miles Lexington……………………………………………………………………… 222 miles New York……………………………………………………………………… 509 miles Pittsburgh……………………………………………………………………… 204 miles Washington, DC……………………………………………………………..… 336 miles
TRANSPORTATION
Highways Clay County is served by I-79, which provides service from Charleston, WV to Erie, PA and State Routes 36, 16 and 4.
Public Transportation Specialized Transportation, primarily for the elderly, is provided by the Clay County Development Corporation.
Rail Service Clay County currently has no operating rail lines.
Bus Service No public bus service is available.
Air Service Service to Clay County is provided by Yeager Airport, located 10 minutes from downtown Charleston and about an hour from the Town of Clay.
Regional Intergovernmental Council – Region III 29
FY 2020 CEDS
UTILITIES
Water Water is provided by The Town of Clay, Clay County Public Service District, Clay-Roane Public Service District, and Queen Shoals Public Service District.
Electric Elk Power, American Electric Power (AEP) and Allegheny Power provide electrical power to the area.
Gas and Other Mountaineer Gas is the major provider.
Broadband Mapping of Broadband Fixed Wireline Speeds in Clay County as of December 2018, provided by the West Virginia Broadband Enhancement Council.
Regional Intergovernmental Council – Region III 30
FY 2020 CEDS
The following “Quality of Life” facts exist in Clay County:
• Two county-wide ambulance services • Fully equipped volunteer fire department • One national Blue-Ribbon school • Public Library • Primary Health Care Center • Nursing and Rehabilitation Center • Clay County Wellness Center • Annually held events include the Golden Delicious Apple Festival, the July 4th celebration, and Agricultural Fair. • County and Municipal Park and Pool • Fishing, swimming and canoeing is available on the Elk River • J. G. Bradley Campground • Buffalo and Gauley Creek Scenic Railroad • Buffalo Creek Recreational Trail • Within 1 hour of State Capitol
Economy
Clay County is the poorest county within Region III. Clay County was hit with a devastating flood in June of 2016, which has caused the economy to struggle even more. Clay County has been designated by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) as “distressed”. The unemployment rate remains high. Economic challenges include its relative inaccessibility, absence of developable land and a lack of broadband internet service. The Clay County Board of Education is the top employer in the county.
Clay County is included in a federally designated Enterprise Community, named the Central Appalachia Empowerment Zone of West Virginia (CAEZ), and as such, is entitled to increased state and federal grant assistance. In the application for funding as a Rural Empowerment Zone, the following five areas of need are highlighted: 1) Economic Development; 2) Education; 3) Housing; 4) Health and 5) Emergency Services.
As a result of CAEZ, the following improvements in the education system have occurred: pre- school programs have been placed at elementary schools and the implementation of programs such as work training education at Clay County High School. Additional improvements are expected in the future.
Regional Intergovernmental Council – Region III 31
FY 2020 CEDS
Small Town Market Opens in Clay
Clay County has a new business! The Small Town Market located on Main Street in the Town of Clay opened this past March. The new market offers an assortment of beef, pork, and chicken, as well as, a variety of produce, all at an affordable price. They also offer an assortment of spices, rubs, and sauces that you will love to use when cooking and grilling. Hometown food venders will also be selling homemade jams, butters, and other goods at the market.
The HUB a New Dining Experience in Clay With the help of Clay County Services Unlimited, Inc. The HUB opened this past year in the Town of Clay. The HUB is a coffee house and a restaurant that has help to build the community in Clay by offering a unique and friendly environment. The menu includes specialty coffee drinks, pastries, and homemade food items. In addition, The HUB enables Clay County Services Unlimited, Inc. to provide additional training and employment opportunities for people with disabilities in Clay County. The HUB also has an open mic night and spotlights local merchant items. The HUB offers space for rent for events, as well as event planning and decorating.
Top 10 Employers in Clay County
1. Clay County Board of Education 2. Clay Senior and Community Services, Inc. 3. Clay Health Center, LLC 4. Community Care of West Virginia, Inc. 5. Goulds Electric Motor Repair, Inc. 6. Clay County Commission 7. Clay County Services Unlimited, Inc. 8. West Virginia Department of Highways 9. Gino’s/Tudors Biscuit World 10. Pierson Lumber Company
Source: Workforce WV, March 2019
Regional Intergovernmental Council – Region III 32
FY 2020 CEDS
Clay Clay County - People Quick Facts County Population, 2019 estimate 8,508 Population, 2018 estimate 8,632 Population, percent change - April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2019 -9.3% Population, percent change - April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2018 -8.0% Population, 2010 9,386 High school graduate or higher, percent of persons age 25+, 2014-2018 75.7% Bachelor's degree or higher, percent of persons age 25+, 2014-2018 9.5% Veterans, 2014-2018 494 Mean travel time to work (minutes), workers age 16+, 2014-2018 44 Housing units 2018 4,629 Owner-occupied housing rate, 2014-2018 82.1% Median value of owner-occupied housing units, 2014-2014 $82,100 Households, 2014-2018 3,261 Persons per household, 2014-2018 2.67 Per capita income in past 12 months (in 2018 dollars), 2014-2018 $16,780 Median household income, 2014-2018 $35,875 Persons in poverty, percent 25.1% Source: United States Census Bureau
Regional Intergovernmental Council – Region III 33
FY 2020 CEDS
KANAWHA COUNTY
Kanawha County Courthouse
Regional Intergovernmental Council – Region III 34
FY 2020 CEDS
Kanawha County combines the scenic beauty of the Appalachian Mountains with the developmental potential provided by a major river system and mild climate. It is the largest county in the region with a population estimate of 178,124 in 2019. The Kanawha River Valley provides much of the flat land used for development in the area. In addition, the Elk River and Coal River serve Kanawha County. In Charleston, the Kanawha River lies at 600 feet above sea level. Kanawha County has 913 square miles. The area’s geographical location and surrounding mountains insulate it from tornadoes and hurricanes.
Distance to Major Cities from Charleston
Atlanta………………………………………………………………………… 504 miles Chicago………………………………………………………………………… 541 miles Cincinnati……………………………………………………………………… 200 miles Cleveland……………………………………………………………………… 252 miles Columbus……………………………………………………………………… 167 miles Lexington……………………………………………………………………… 178 miles New York……………………………………………………………………… 530 miles Pittsburgh……………………………………………………………………… 227 miles Washington, DC……………………………………………………………..… 361 miles
Transportation
Highways Three major interstates serve the Kanawha Valley: I-64, I-79 and I-77.
Completed or Planned Highway Improvements: WV 601 (Jefferson Road) Improvements in South Charleston:
▪ Widen to five lanes from MacCorkle Avenue to Kanawha Turnpike ▪ Widen to four lanes from Kanawha Turnpike to US 119 (Corridor G) ▪ Construct a connector road from RHL Blvd. at Trace Fork Shopping Center to Jefferson Road. ▪ Construct a flyover bridge over CSX mainline tracks and Kanawha Turnpike. Funding Source: FHWA and WVDOT Cost: $60 million
Interstate 64 Widening + Nitro Bridge ▪ Widen I-64 from 4 to 6 lanes between the US 35 Interchange (Exit 40) and Crooked Creek (Exit 45). ▪ New bridge to increase capacity across Kanawha County/Putnam County boundary line.
Funding Source: FHWA and WVDOT Cost: $72 million
Regional Intergovernmental Council – Region III 35
FY 2020 CEDS
US 60 Improvements in Kanawha County: Widen to four lane divided facility from Admiral TJ Lopez Bridge (Chelyan Bridge) to CR 81 (Kelly’s Creek Road).
Funding Source: FHWA and WVDOT Cost: $31.3 million
Public Transportation The Kanawha Valley Regional Transportation Authority (KVRTA) serves Kanawha County and portions of Fayette and Putnam Counties. KVRTA operates a network of 20 fixed routes oriented around the commercial center of Charleston.
Rail Service Rail freight service is supplied by CSX, on the southern side of the Kanawha River, and Norfolk- Southern on the northern side of Kanawha River.
Amtrak offers limited passenger service several times a week.
Air Service Yeager Airport in Charleston offers competitive airfares to destinations throughout the world and nonstop flights to eight major cities. The airport is a short drive from downtown Charleston and only a few minutes from the intersection of three major interstates. Yeager Airport serves as a U.S. Customs Port of Entry and has 4 major airlines: American, United, Delta, and Spirit.
UTILITIES
Water WV-American Water provides water through most of Kanawha County. There are also a number of municipal providers and PSD’s.
Electric American Electric Power (AEP) provides electrical power throughout Kanawha County.
Gas and Other Natural gas is supplied by Mountaineer Gas. Coal, fuel oil and propane are readily available from local suppliers.
Broadband Mapping of Broadband Fixed Wireline Speeds in Kanawha County as of December 2018, provided by the West Virginia Broadband Enhancement Council.
Regional Intergovernmental Council – Region III 36
FY 2020 CEDS
Economy
Population has shrunk in the Kanawha Valley for nearly 25 years. In the 1960 census, Charleston had 86,000 in population and Kanawha County 253,000. Today, the capital city is slipping below 50,000 and the county below 180,000. The reason for Kanawha Valley’s decreasing numbers, is due to loss of jobs. Chemical plants automated, glass plants closed, and coal mining jobs saw a steady decline. However, there are successes in the county, South Charleston’s Gestamp provides over 400 good paying jobs and the South Charleston Technology Park and Mid-Atlantic Technology Research and Innovation Center have been successful.
Major industries in Kanawha County include healthcare, government, chemicals and manufacturing. There are 4,793 businesses in Kanawha County, representing more employment opportunities than any county in the State.
There are fourteen (14) municipalities in Kanawha County: They are: Belle, Cedar Grove, Charleston, Chesapeake, Clendenin, Dunbar, East Bank, Glasgow, Handley, Marmet, Nitro, Pratt, St. Albans and South Charleston.
Regional Intergovernmental Council – Region III 37
FY 2020 CEDS
Ibex Brings 100 New Jobs to Charleston
Ibex announced in January 2020 that following the addition of a new client the company was immediately hiring 100 customer service agents for its Charleston site. Ibex provides contact center services and other business process outsourcing solutions. According to Connie Staunton-Bailey, site director for Ibex in Charleston, this is the largest number of job openings that they have been able to offer, and it is for a company that is one of the giants in the technology industry.
Cook Out Opens Two Locations in Kanawha County
Cook Out has opened two new restaurants in Kanawha County which are located at 131 Goff Mountain Road in Cross Lanes and 5505 MacCorkle Avenue, SE in Kanawha City. Cook Out offers charbroiled hamburgers, Hotdogs, Corndogs and other items typically available at fast-food restaurants, however with over 35 flavors Cook Out is perhaps most notably known for its wide variety of milkshakes. Cook Outs hours are from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 a.m.
Palm Beauty Academy Now Open in Cross Lanes
The Palm Beauty Academy, a new cosmetology school located at 314 Goff Mountain Road in Cross Lanes held their grand opening on January 10, 2020. Palm Beauty Academy which is Co-owned by Tammy Bolland and Amanda Cunningham will teach hairstylists, manicurists and aestheticians with affordable tuition. Students can enter the work field with between 10 and 45 weeks of training at the brand new modern facility.
Danny’s BBQ Shack Opens in Charleston
Charleston’s former mayor Danny Jones opened Danny’s BBQ Shack this past February at the 1000 block of Quarrier Street in Charleston. The menu includes ribs, pulled pork barbeque sandwiches and soup. The restaurant will be open weekdays from 11:00 am until 2:00 pm with the possibility of an expansion of hours in the future.
Regional Intergovernmental Council – Region III 38
FY 2020 CEDS
Top 10 Employers in Kanawha County
1. CAMC Health System 2. Kanawha County Board of Education 3. Thomas Health System, Inc. 4. West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources 5. Blackhawk Mining, LLC. 6. Wal-Mart Associates, Inc. 7. West Virginia Department of Highways 8. Kroger 9. United States Postal Services 10. City of Charleston
Source: Workforce WV, March 2019
Kanawha Kanawha County - People Quick Facts County Population, 2019 estimate 178,124 Population, 2018 estimate 180,454 Population, 2010 (April 1) estimates base 193,063 Population, percent change - April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2019 -7.7% Population, percent change - April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2018 -6.5% Population, 2010 193,063 High school graduate or higher, percent of persons age 25+, 2014-2018 88.1% Bachelor's degree or higher, percent of persons age 25+, 2014-2018 24.9% Veterans, 2014-2018 12,925 Mean travel time to work (minutes), workers age 16+, 2014-2018 20.9 Households, 2014-2018 79,437 Persons per household, 2014-2018 2.3 Housing units, 2018 92,333 Owner-occupied housing unit rate, 2014-2018 68.8% Median value of owner-occupied housing unit rate, 2014-2018 $112,400 Per capita income in past 12 months (2018 dollars), 2014-2018 $28,405 Median household income, 2014-2018 $45,426 Persons in poverty, percent 17.1% Source: United States Census Bureau
Regional Intergovernmental Council – Region III 39
FY 2020 CEDS
PUTNAM COUNTY
Putnam County Courthouse
Regional Intergovernmental Council – Region III 40
FY 2020 CEDS
Putnam County lies within the Allegheny Plateau. The Kanawha River Valley bisects Putnam County from southeast to northwest and provides much of the flat land used for development in the area. Putnam County is located between West Virginia’s two largest cities – Charleston and Huntington. There are six (6) municipalities in Putnam County, they are listed as the follows: Bancroft, Buffalo, Eleanor, Hurricane, Poca and Winfield. Also, a portion of Nitro is located in Putnam County.
Distance to Major Cities from Winfield
Atlanta…………………………………………………….….………………. 534 miles Chicago………………………………………………………..……………… 469 miles Cincinnati……………………………………………………………………... 180 miles Cleveland……………………………………………………………………… 275 miles Columbus……………………………………………………………………… 200 miles Lexington……………………………………………………………………… 170 miles New York……………………………………………………………………… 570 miles Pittsburgh……………………………..…………………………….…………. 257 miles Washington, DC……………………………………………………………….. 365 miles
TRANSPORTATION
Highways Putnam County is served by Interstate 64, which provides service from St. Louis MO to Richmond, VA, by US Routes 35 and 60 & WV Routes 34 and 62.
Completed or Planned Highway Improvements: Interstate 64 Widening:
• Widening to six lanes from Crooked Creek to Nitro
New US 35 alignment in Putnam County: Construct four lane median-divided highway between the Johnathon David Higginbotham Memorial Bridge (CR 869) to the Mason County line.
Funding Source: FHWA and WVDOT Cost: $98.4 million
Culloden Interchange: • New Entrance/Exit Ramp along Interstate 64
• Located primarily in Cabell County, but connector roads and ramps will be in Putnam County. Public Transportation Bus Service is provided by KVRTA through a small portion of Putnam County through Nitro Marketplace. Taxi service is available through Teays Valley Taxi.
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FY 2020 CEDS
Rail Service Freight service is provided by CSX and Northern Southern. Amtrak service traverses the County, but the nearest stations are in Huntington and Charleston.
Air Service Air service in Putnam County is provided by Yeager Airport, located in downtown Charleston.
UTILTIES
Water Water is provided to Putnam County residents by West Virginia American Water, Putnam PSD and the City of Hurricane.
Electric American Electric Power (AEP) provides electricity.
Gas and Other Natural gas is provided by Mountaineer Gas.
Broadband Mapping of Broadband Fixed Wireline Speeds in Putnam County as of December 2018, provided by the West Virginia Broadband Enhancement Council.
Regional Intergovernmental Council – Region III 42
FY 2020 CEDS
Economy
Putnam County is the fastest economically growing county in the region. Putnam County has the advantage of being located between Charleston and Huntington and connected by interstate highway to both cities. The county is endowed with a relatively large amount of flat developable land, both in the Teays Valley area and in the Kanawha River Valley. The widening of U.S. 35 from I-64 to Buffalo (including a new I-64 interchange) has boosted economic development potential.
Teays Valley is mostly a mix of residential, retail and service development. Additional industrial, retail and service establishments can be found in the following industrial and business parks:
• Eleanor Industrial Park, Eleanor • Par Industrial Park, Nitro • HUB Industrial Park, Nitro • Rock Branch Industrial Park, Poca • Putnam Business Park, Fraziers Bottom • Teays Valley Industrial Park, Scott Depot
Putnam Public Service District Upgrade US EDA Grant Award
The Putnam Public Service District in Scott Depot received $860,000 from the US Economic Development Authority to make needed sewer service improvements to support a state- of-the-art service and parts center for high-end commercial and vocational trucks. The grant is matched with $215,000 in local funds and is expected to help create 20 new jobs, retain 20 jobs and generate $5 million in private investments. This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Regional Intergovernmental Council.
Regional Intergovernmental Council – Region III 43
FY 2020 CEDS
Tasty Blend Foods Expands in Putnam County
Tasty Blend Foods, which manufactures dry mixes and bakery goods recently completed a $3 million expansion at its Putnam County manufacturing facility. The expansion adds 22,000 square feet to the facility’s existing 48,000 square feet and adds a new production line for the Snak- Time line of breakfast sandwiches and biscuits. Tasty Blend also added 20 new jobs to the existing workforce of 45. Adding the Snak-Time production line also provided Tasty Blend foods the opportunity to provide the West Virginia school system with quality homemade tasting breakfast sandwiches and biscuits.
The Commons Marketplace at Valley Park The Commons Marketplace located at Valley Park in Hurricane held its grand opening on October 26, 2019. The marketplace is a year-round public market that provides local business owners and artisans the opportunity to bring their goods to the general public. The vision of The Commons Marketplace is to bring community to Valley Park. It was built with the intention of utilizing local resources from its architecture to its vendors. Vendors located at The Commons Marketplace include: Taste of Country Candles, Apple Pie Embroidery, The Doodlin’ Roo, Teresa Gail Jewelry, Ricardina Jewelry, Take Me Home, Happy Belly Foods, Valley Sports, Artists’ Nook, Alexander Reann Boutique and So Kai Clubhouse.
Top 10 Employers in Putnam County
1. Putnam County Board of Education 2. Toyota Motor Manufacturing, West Virginia, Inc. 3. Appalachian Power Company 4. CAMC Health System 5. Apex Pipeline Services, Inc. 6. Manpower of WV, Inc. 7. Wal-Mart Associates, Inc. 8. Nitro Construction Services, Inc. (formerly Nitro Electric Company, Inc.) 9. Brand Energy Services, LLC 10. Putnam County Commission
Source: Workforce WV, March 2019
Regional Intergovernmental Council – Region III 44
FY 2020 CEDS
Putnam Putnam County – People Quick Facts County Population, 2019 estimate 56,450 Population, 2018 estimate 56,682 Population, 2010 (April 1) estimates base 55,489 Population, percent change – April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2019 1.7% Population, percent change – April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2018 2.1% Population, 2010 55,486 High school graduate or higher, percent of persons age 25+, 2014-2018 92.7% Bachelor’s degree or higher, percent of persons age 25+, 2014-2018 26.7% Veterans, 2014-2018 3,998 Mean travel time to work (minutes), workers age 16+, 2014-2018 24.9 Housing units, 2018 24,249 Owner-occupied housing rate, 2014-2018 82.3% Median value of owner-occupied housing unit, 2014-2018 $163,800 Households, 2014-2018 21,665 Persons per household, 2014-2018 2.60 Per capita income in past 12 months (2018 dollars), 2014-2018 $31,277 Median household income, 2014-2018 $59,626 Persons in poverty, percent 10% Source: United States Census Bureau
Regional Intergovernmental Council – Region III 45
FY 2020 CEDS
RIC Progress Report
Local Technical Assistance
The Council’s staff was involved in various stages of projects, including.
• Provided grant administration to twelve or more local governments having HUD, EPA, USDA, US Army Corps of Engineer 571 and ARC grants, as well as State agency grants. This is an important service offered by RIC to keep local governments in compliance with federal regulations and audits.
• Disseminated information on State and Federal development programs to all local governments in the RIC region. Worked with local officials in developing projects.
• Served on various committees and boards, including the Putnam County Transportation Committee, CCR Regional Broadband Committee, the Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation Economic Development Committee, the Kanawha Coal Reliant Communities Group, the Community Reinvestment Act Committee, the WV Association of Regional Planning and Development Councils, and the WV Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations.
• Assisted communities and others by providing GIS mapping and other technical services. Provided information regarding various government programs and advised communities in dealing with various technical and administrative issues.
• Assisted the Town of Smithers, the Town of Glasgow and the Clay County Commission by providing technical assistance to develop outdoor recreation projects to be considered for Department of Interior Land and Water Conservation Grants.
• Assist the Boone Raleigh Public Service District in re-valuating their water and sanitary sewer system and reconfiguring their District Board. This culminated is the sale of the water system to West Virginia American Water Company to provide constant reliable water service.
• Provided census and other data to local governments, communities, and others.
• Assisted local water providers in development source-water assessment and protection plans.
• Assisted communities in Boone and Clay counties with initiating Broadband Cooperatives and applying for needed funding.
Regional Intergovernmental Council – Region III 46
FY 2020 CEDS
Community and Economic Development
• RIC administered a number of infrastructure projects, including: Boone County PSD Sewer Project; Boone County Morrisvale/Cameo Waterline Extension Project; Boone County Prenter II waterline Extension: Boone County Right Fork Waterline Extension, Clay County Pack Fork and Independence Road Waterline Extension Project; Clay County Big Otter/Nebo/Tanner Hollow Waterline Extension, Town of Clay Blue Knob Waterline Extension; Putnam County Manila Ridge waterline extension; Clay-Roane PSD Waterline Extension Project; and Belle Sewer Rehabilitation Project.
• RIC is assisting in the development of additional infrastructure projects, including: Nitro Regional Wastewater Treatment Improvements; the Boone County/Madison Sewer Rehabilitation Project; the Kanawha PSD Sewer Extension Project, the Elk Valley PSD Sewer Extension Project, the Clay County PSD Interconnection project, Town of Clay Water Tank Replacement, Town of Clay Wastewater Improvements and Cedar Grove Sewer Project. RIC also assisted with funding requests for many other projects, some of which are pending.
• RIC also continued to administer a U.S. EDA planning grant to TechConnect WV.
• RIC prepared three (3) newsletters and one Annual Report.
• Attended the WV Association of Regional Planning and Development Councils Annual Conference.
• Assisted Central Appalachia Empowerment Zone in developing an application for a technology center broadband grant from ARC.
• Completed four HUD Small Cities Block Grant Applications
• Participated in numerous trainings on the POWER+ Program and the Broadband Infrastructure Program through the WV Broadband Committee.
• Assisted TechConnect WV with an EDA economic adjustment application for their new TKWKS WV project.
Private Development
• Completed and submitted annual CEDS Update.
• Provided information on Region III to consultants, market analysts and private businesses to promote economic development.
• Provided information for an EDA grant for TechConnect WV.
Regional Intergovernmental Council – Region III 47
FY 2020 CEDS
• Assisted the WV Tech Park with developing a continuation application for the Green Mining Model Business Plan project
• RIC has assisted the State with broadband development efforts, including reviewing applications for technical assistance grants and preparing a regional broadband strategic plan.
• Assisting the Putnam Public Service District to upgrade their force Main Lines and Pump Station to accommodate new development of a large commercial user.
• Assisting the Putnam Public Service District to upgrade their water treatment plant to provide all business and residences in their system. The District is operation on approximately 70% capacity.
• Assisting in the development of a waterline to the Rock Creek Development Park (formerly the Hobet Complex) in Boone County to foster business expansion and creation in the Boone County Region.
Transportation Planning
Metropolitan Transportation Plan
The primary focus of RIC’s transportation planning efforts and resources in 2017 was on producing an update to RIC’s Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP), which encompasses the entirety of Kanawha and Putnam counties. This multimodal planning effort took a fresh look at the region's transportation system and identified deficiencies in the region's highway, public transit, bicycle and pedestrian transportation systems and developed recommendations for improvements. RIC's MTP is updated on a four-year cycle, the current MTP was originally adopted by the RIC Policy board on September 7, 2017. The latter half of FY 2020 will be spent beginning an update to the plan. The RIC transportation staff will begin with developing a scope of work, budget and timeline. The first stages of public involvement will occur before the end of FY 2020. The update is expected to be complete in September 2021. Transit Planning
RIC continues to provide transit planning services to the region’s public transportation authority, Kanawha Valley Regional Transportation Authority (KVRTA), and all organizations that provide paratransit services. Each year, RIC prepares a route level service analysis, including performance measures and performance indicators for KVRTA. Additionally, RIC organizes and hosts public informational meetings throughout the year for KVRTA in various parts of Kanawha County.
Regional Intergovernmental Council – Region III 48
FY 2020 CEDS
Transportation Improvement Program
RIC transportation planning staff updated the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) through FY 2020 to 2023 and approved revision requests and project amendments by the RIC Policy Board on a quarterly basis. Census Management Planning
During 2019, RIC continued to maintain its census library of printed and digital data materials. RIC responded to census requests from officials, agencies and the public as part of its Affiliate Data Center program. RIC also participated in the Participant Statistical Area Program (PSAP) and assisted the U.S. Census Bureau in Census 2020 preparations. Hazard Mitigation Planning
During 2019, RIC completed the annual update to the Region 3 Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan which encompasses all hazards impacting Boone, Clay, Kanawha and Putnam counties. Mitigation plans such as these, increase education and identify implementation approaches focused on the most vulnerable populations to improve a community’s resiliency. An approved hazard mitigation plan is required to receive non-emergency disaster assistance, creating the necessity that all communities pass a resolution for plan approval. Transportation Database/Geographic Information (GIS)
RIC continued expansion with Geographic Information System (GIS) capabilities in 2018 through the acquisition of additional GIS data and GIS software upgrades. RIC continues to utilize GIS technologies in most of its transportation planning endeavors, and to provide mapping for our Community Development activities as well as for RIC members and other regional agencies. Bicycle and Pedestrian Initiatives
In conjunction with HDR, Inc., RIC’s transportation planning staff spent the majority of 2018 working on an update to RIC’s Kanawha-Putnam Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan. This is the first update to the original plan which was developed in 2008. The plan update began with an analysis of regional data, existing plans and public input. Community outreach and public engagement took place in the form of targeting community groups, city and county officials, and bicycle advocacy groups. Following a strategic prioritization process, a list of proposed bicycle and pedestrian improvement projects and recommendations for Kanawha and Putnam counties was developed. The final list of improvement projects and recommendations, including potential funding sources will be included in the final planning document.
Regional Intergovernmental Council – Region III 49
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RIC Title VI Plan
RIC’s Title VI Plan was first adopted by the RIC Policy Board in June 2016 and mandates that RIC's transportation planning program and activities abide by the requirements of Title VI of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, as well as subsequent acts and executive orders which fall under the umbrella of Title VI. The RIC transportation planning staff review the plan annually to ensure compliance with current and future legislation. The plan provides specific guidelines and policies for RIC to adhere to in regard to Title VI. The goal of the plan is to guarantee that federally funded transportation planning activities do not discriminate against any person or group of people on the basis of race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, political affiliation, color, marital status, sexual orientation, economic status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
RIC Public Participation Plan
RIC's Public Participation Plan was recently updated and adopted by the RIC Policy Board in December 2019 and describes the strategies, techniques and activities that RIC employs to inform and engage the public in transportation planning issues for the purpose of maximizing public involvement. This plan documents RIC’s current and future actions to efficiently promote public participation through various types of activities appropriate to the scope and nature of the planning activity. Additionally, this plan outlines RIC's goals and objectives to ensure successful public participation processes for all planning purposes and activities. A significant area of importance in this plan is the ongoing focus to ensure inclusiveness in all outreach efforts to traditionally underserved populations, including limited English proficient (LEP) persons, low- literacy persons, persons with disabilities, minorities, and low-income individuals. RIC’s Public Participation Plan is a living document and is reviewed annually.
RIC Congestion Management Plan
In 2016, RIC transportation planning staff began developing a Congestion Management Plan (CMP) and process for RIC's metropolitan planning area. The CMP was the first of its kind and is a requirement for MPOs that have planning jurisdiction within a Transportation Management Area (TMA). The plan seeks to identify highway segments which regularly experience above average travel times. Actual vehicle travel time data for the region is being used to identify these segments. Public input was also solicited for determining high-congestion areas. Short-term and long-term solutions will be developed for the purpose of alleviating traffic congestion on identified high-congestion segments.
Originating as a suggestion from the Congestion Management Plan (CMP), a System Performance Report for RIC’s transportation planning jurisdiction was started in 2018. The System
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Performance Report reflects the integration of the national performance goals set by the current Federal transportation legislation, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) Act, and the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act. The report will be updated on an annual basis, to be utilized in assessing the efficiency of the existing transportation system located in RIC’s transportation planning jurisdiction. MPOs are required to coordinate with State DOTs and transit providers to establish and integrate performance targets into their planning documents. RIC’s System Performance Report will detail all performance measures and targets adopted by the state of West Virginia, RIC and KVRTA for the purposes of documenting progress and performance expectations for future planning efforts.
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IV. Economic Resilience
It is becoming increasingly apparent that the Regional Intergovernmental Council, a four-county planning and development council, consider economic prosperity is linked to an area’s ability to prevent, withstand and quickly recover from major disruptions to its economic base. Establishing economic resilience in a local or regional economy requires the ability to anticipate risk, evaluate how that risk can impact key economic assets, and build a responsive capacity. Often, the shocks/disruptions to the economic base of an area or region are manifested in these ways:
• Downturns or other significant events in the coal industry which impact demand for locally produced goods and consumer spending.
• Downturns in coal related industries that constitute a critical component of the region’s economic activity.
• Other external shocks such as the June 23, 2016 flood that decimated Clendenin and Clay County areas and the COVID – 19 Pandemic that has caused economic disruptions and instability not only in our region, state and country but also throughout the entire world.
This is no more apparent than the downturn in the coal industry in our region and the COVID-19 Pandemic. The Regional Intergovernmental Councils Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy begins to build the capacity for economic resilience. The members of this committee often become the focal point for post-incident coordination, information dissemination, responding to external inquiries, and the lead grant administrator for local, state and federally funded recovery initiatives.
In building economic resilience, it is critical that this organization consider its role in the pre- incident and post-incident environment to include proactive and responsive initiatives.
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V. Goals, Objectives & Development Strategies
2020 CEDS Goals, Objectives, and Development Strategies
Goal To achieve a diversified, balanced economy for the Region. Objective Strategy Economic Development Objectives and Strategies Maintain a strong industrial base • Work with economic development agencies, with construction of new workforce investment boards, vocational schools industrial parks and expansion of and community colleges to develop and advertise existing industrial parks. training programs for area residents. • Cooperate with local agencies in developing industrial sites. • Support manpower training programs for a skilled labor force. • Disseminate information on market conditions and federal assistance programs to local governments and business associations. • Assist in identifying potential industrial sites in the Region. • Promote continued development and expansion of the WV Regional Technology Park. • Develop water, sewer, transportation and broadband infrastructure in preferred development areas. Promote entrepreneurship, • Assist small business incubators and local non- innovation and small business profit economic development programs to growth in the Region. expand local businesses. Support the expansion of tourism • Work with state and local trail and tourism and convention business. groups to promote attractions of Region III. • Support travel-related projects being planned for the Region. • Promote fairs, festivals and other events within the Region. • Establish, cultivate and grow new local attractions into a tourism destination. • Promote river adventures on the Kanawha, Elk and Coal Rivers.
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Objective Strategy Economic Development Objectives and Strategies (Continued) Support the expansion of tourism • Work with state and local trail and tourism and convention business. groups to promote attractions of Region III. • Support travel-related projects being planned for the Region. • Promote fairs, festivals and other events within the Region. • Establish, cultivate and grow new local attractions into a tourism destination. • Promote river adventures on the Kanawha, Elk and Coal Rivers. Support local downtown • Provide technical assistance to municipalities revitalization plans and wishing to upgrade their structures and services. community services for economic • Support the development of services and growth. facilities necessary for long-term growth. • Assist communities in applying for USDOT Transportation grants for downtown streetscape projects. Promote new and diversified • Provide Technology Based opportunities in technological training to assist coding and network security emerging markets and processes • Develop workforce training programs for 21st in the region Century requirements Identify Grants and other revenue • Seek grants of various sources and contents to streams as related to RIC’s assist in attaining identified goals and objectives overall purpose, particularly those • Seek outside partners who may have same or related to community and varied interests economic development International Economic Development Objectives and Strategies Promote International Trade • Provide startup support and consultative services Development by increasing in the areas of business and marketing plans, awareness of trade resources and management, international finance, global information available at the local, market entry and growth strategies, research state and federal level to help WV and analysis, product design and development companies take advantage of the plans. overseas demand for U.S. • Support technical assistance projects that products and services. provide knowledge of customers, products, and competitors to better capture and maintain global market share. • Fund incubators to commercialize regional development, patents and inventions into innovative products. Infrastructure Objectives and Strategies Support the region’s • Support and coordinate water, sewer, infrastructure development. transportation and broadband infrastructure in the four-county region.
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Workforce Development Objectives and Strategies Support the region’s energy and • Promote Clean coal technology chemical industries. • Support construction of an ethane “cracker” in the Region. • Provide end use economic opportunities for mountain top removal lands. • Promote the use of natural gas as a motor vehicle fuel. Objective Strategy Workforce Development Objectives and Strategies (Continued) Assist communities to attract • To assist in the attraction of new, diverse major employers and/or training companies, and/or the reuse of higher institutes and career colleges educational facilities for new training programs to where regions have experienced better attract new employers, to provide training the long term impact of the to at-risk students/trainees, more relevant downturn in coal/energy, are apprenticeships or OJTs training programs for experiencing sudden and severe those newly attracted companies. closures of major employers, • Identify facility uses and likely occupants. and/or are experiencing the closure of community schools leading to the occurrence or planned occurrence of the loss of the highest salaried jobs in the area. Recommend, wherever feasible, • To provide goals to hire apprentices and develop the hiring of apprentices to assist a training regimen to increase their ability to in the building of a labor ready become a journeyed craftsman. workforce and providing • Work with labor unions and WV Rehabilitation accessible services to those with Services. disabilities including those with • To set goals that provide employment to qualified barriers to employment persons that might have disabilities. Safety and Resilience Objectives and Strategies Assist communities and regions • Provide assistance to Development, Economic which have suffered losses in coal Diversity, and Community Impact in affected mining and related manufacturing communities and power plant employment. • Workforce Development and Economic Resilience in Coal-dependent communities. Identify Hazard Mitigation • Review procedures and plans that might benefit procedures and goals as they business expansion or retention. relate to Economic Development • Work with communities and businesses to develop cooperation on mitigation planning Assist major employers, colleges • To assist business and government in time of and universities thru difficult natural disaster by developing processes and economic and tenuous times. procedures that relate to their concerns Build economic resilience in times • Building a resilient workforce that can better shift of major business and social between jobs or industries when their core disruptions. employment is threatened through job-driven
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skills strategies and support organizations; • Employing safe development practices in business districts and surrounding communities. • Adapting business retention and expansion programs (e.g., economic gardening or other enterprise supports) to assist firms with economic recovery post-disruption;
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VI. Regional and County Priority Project Listings
Description of Programs, Project Selection and the Prioritization Process
The project package, a central listing of economic development projects, is a culmination of outreach efforts throughout the year. RIC has determined all projects to be classified as short- term, but in many cases, with long-term economic impact.
The process to assure the package includes all projects is as follows:
• Review of the previous year’s project package • Correspondence to all RIC members specifically requesting information regarding projects in their communities. • Outreach to local economic development organizations • CEDS committee input and meeting.
Economic Development Initiatives Project List
Water Projects:
ID Project Name County Sponsor Project Cost NO. Right Fork Waterline Extension Boone Boone Co PSD $800,000 1 To provide water service to approximately 10 residents in Boone County from the end of the Morrisvale Cameo wtaerline extension to the county line.
Putnam PSD Capacity Improvement Project Putnam Putnam PSD $2,400,000 2 To rehabilitate the water filtering system that provides over 9,000 customers and businesses from a failure of water service in Putnam County.
Harrison Widen Waterline Extension Clay Clay Co. PSD $7,000,000 3 To provide water service to approximately 100 residences from Triplett Ridge to the Nicholas County.
Clay County PSD Big Otter Nebo Waterline Clay Clay Co. PSD $5,300,000 To provide potable water to the 100 households near Interstate 79. This project has been developed for over 4 20 years with the inability of the Town of Clay to supply the necessary capacity of water to the residents. The Town has completed their new plant in 2013 which double their volume and storage. The treatment plant can only be successful if additional customers are added in the near future.
5 Moorefield (Ossie Road) Waterline Extension Clay Clay Co. PSD $1,500,000
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This is an additional waterline extension in the northern part of Clay County that will be served by the new Town of Clay Treatment facility and the expanded storage and pressure of the Clay County Interconnection project. Clay Roane PSD Elkhurst Waterline Extension Clay Clay Roane PSD $4,000,000
6 To provide potable water along the Elk River from the current Clay Roane plant to the new Hartland Bridge (Route 16) This project serves many residences and camps on both sides of the River and opens valuable land development for economic development.
Town of Clay Water Tank replacement Clay Town of Clay $975,000 7 To replace two tanks, one of which was built in the late 1960's and is failing.
Kanawha County Kanawha $2,547,000 Leatherwood Waterline Extension Commission 8 To provide potable water to the residences of Leatherwood Road near Clendenin by a Public-Private Partnership with West Virginia American Water Company Kanawha County Kanawha $670,000 Coalburg Waterline Extension Commission 9 To provide potable water to the Coalburg area where pre-1977 mining has affected the quality and quantity of wells in the area. This project is being reviewed by the WV DEP AML for funding. Kanawha County Kanawha $4,100,000 Mahon/Paint Creek Waterline Extension Commission 10 To provide potable water to the Mahon/Paint Creek area where pre-1977 mining has affected the quality and quantity of wells in the area. This project is being reviewed by the WV DEP AML for funding. This project will also serve the rest stop on the WV Turnpike.
Putnam County Putnam $2,000,000 Fisher Ridge Waterline Extension Commission 11 To provide potable water service to the 28 residents of Fisher Ridge Putnam County.
Putnam County Putnam $2,300,000 Phase II Jim Bee Ridge Waterline Extension Commission 12 To provide potable water service to the residents of the Phase II area of Jim Bee Ridge to the Jackson County line in Putnam County.
SEWER PROJECTS:
Boone County Boone $4,300,000 WWTP Upgrade and Line Rehabilitation PSD 13 To upgrade the wastewater treatment plant in Danville and rehabilitate the lines in West Madison from increased inflow and infiltration.
Town of Glasgow WWTP Upgrade Kanawha Town of Glasgow $500,000 14 To upgrade the wastewater treatment plant in Glasgow by adding a clearwell and additional pump and housing to the system. Boone County 15 Boone $5,000,000 Foster Phase 1 Sanitary Sewer Extension PSD
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Provide sanitary sewer to Route 3, Rock Creek, for the 68 residents to the Southern Community and Technical Collage Boone County Boone $5,500,000 Foster Phase 2 Sanitary Sewer Extension PSD 16 Provide sanitary sewer to Route 3, Rock Creek, from Southern Community and Technical College to the mouth of Foster Hollow serving approximately 75 customers Boone County Boone $6,500,000 Foster Phase 3 Sanitary Sewer Extension PSD 17 Provide sanitary sewer to Route 3, Rock Creek, from the mouth of Foster Hollow along the route serving approximately 100 customers Boone Raleigh PSD Wastewater Treatment Plant and Boone Raleigh line improvements Boone $5,000,000 18 PSD To upgrade the treatment plant, lift stations and lines within the system
Kanawha County Kanawha $875,000 Eden's Fork Sewer Line Extension Commission 19 To construct a line extension that serves between 10 and 20 residences with sewer service to be connected to the Charleston Sanitary Board collection system. Greater St. Albans Kanawha $16,000,000 Greater St. Albans Phase III Sewer Extension PSD 20 To construct the sewer line extension that connects Brown's Creek, Volpe Road and areas toward Tornado, WV which would connect to the main GSAPSD line and be treated by the City of St Albans WWTP.
Sissonville PSD various Sewer Line Extension Kanawha Sissonville PSD $8,178,006 21 To provide sewer line extensions and upgrades throughout the system to be treated at the SPSD WWTP. Greater St. Albans Kanawha $8,000,000 Greater St. Albans Phase IV Sewer Extension PSD 22 To provide sanitary Sewer Service to the community of Tornado, and areas along Smith Creek in the Tornado area.
City of Nitro Blake's Creek Sewer Extension Kanawha City of Nitro $3,468,000 23 To provide sewer service to the unserved residences in the Blake's Creek and Ridenhour Lake area of Nitro.
City of Nitro Pocatalico River Sewer Extension Putnam City of Nitro $1,500,000 24 To provide sewer service to the unserved residences in the Pocatalico River area of Nitro.
Putnam PSD Hollywood Dr Sewer Extension Putnam Putnam PSD $3,000,000 25 To provide sewer service to the residents of Hollywood Drive in Putnam County.
Putnam PSD Frasier's Bottom Sewer Extension Putnam Putnam PSD $3,000,000 26 To provide sewer service to the unserved areas of Fraziers Bottom.
Putnam PSD Upgrade of North Putnam Plant Putnam Putnam PSD $2,150,000 27 To upgrade the North Putnam WWTP.
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Lens Creek Sewer Extension Phase I Kanawha Kanawha PSD $7,875,000 28 To provide service to approximately 220 residences along Route 94 (Lens Creek Road) from Marmet to the Boone County Line, to be transported thru Chesapeake to the Chelyan facility. To be Town of Clay Sanitary Sewer Improvements Clay Town of Clay 29 determined To rehabilitate the Watsewater treatment plant that is failing
Lens Creek Sewer Extension Phase II Kanawha Kanawha PSD $4,700,000 30 To provide service to approximately 230 residences along Route 94 (Lens Creek Road) from Marmet to the Boone County Line, to be collected at the Marmet WWTP.
Winfield Treatment Plant Replacement Putnam Town of Winfield $8,000,000 31 To replace an outdate lagoon treatment system with a state of the art plant to serve the growing population of the Town and surrounding areas. Boone County Boone Unknown Rock Creek Industrial Park Sewer Extension PSD 32 Provide sanitary sewer to the Rock Creek Industrial Park, formerly Hobet Surface Mine.
Upper Witcher Creek Sewer Extension Kanawha Kanawha PSD $2,100,000 33 To provide sewer service to approximately 120 residents along Upper Witcher Creek Road, to be served by the Kanawha PSD Wastewater Treatment plant in Chelyan.
Community Facilities
Marmet Sidewalk Project Kanawha Town of Marmet $301,000 34 To provide sidewalks and sidewalk upgrades throughout the Town Clay Streetscape Project Clay Town of Clay $200,000 35 To add to the streetscape design in the Town by increasing the design and implementation of the current streetscape. Clay County Clay Fire Station Rehabilitation Clay $241,000 36 Comm To purchase and build a new fire station in Clay, WV
St Albans Spot Slum and Blight Kanawha City of St Albans $150,000 37 To promote certain building be demolished in the community and new uses for the vacant land be identified. Street Paving on Second Avenue Kanawha City of Nitro $78,000 38 To provide funds to repave Second Avenue in the City.
Orchard Manor Bridge Replacement Kanawha City of Charleston $600,000 39 To replace the bridge to a low housing area in the City of Charleston
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South Hills Streetscape Kanawha City of Charleston $750,000 40 To add charm and flair to the business district along Bridge Road, an eclectic of the city. CASE Project for Arts and Science Center Kanawha City of Charleston Unknown 41 To update the streetscape at the Clay Center at Leon Sullivan Way.
Capitol Street Streetscape Kanawha City of Charleston $80,000 42 To update the streetscape in the heart of Charleston.
Sidewalk and Streetpaving project Kanawha City of Dunbar $398,614 43 To provide funding for streetpaving and sidewalk repair to the main thoroughfares of the City.
10th Street Streetscape Kanawha City of Dunbar $252,153 44 To provide a Streetscape to the entrance to the City from South Charleston via the Dunbar Toll Bridge.
Safe Route to Schools - sidewalk project Kanawha City of Dunbar $130,000 45 To provide sidewalks as part of the safe route to schools Department of Transportation grant program.
Handicapped Accessibility - City Hall Putnam Town of Eleanor $16,000 46 To provide access to the Historic Red House building that is also the seat of government for the Town of Eleanor. City of Community Center on Morris Drive Kanawha $4,000,000 47 Montgomery To construct a Community Center along Morris Drive in Kanawha County for the residents of the area.
Handicapped Access and Elevator - City Hall Kanawha Town of Clendenin $84,000 48 To construct an elevator to the town council chambers on the second floor of Town Hall. The stairs are very steep.
Economic Development Initiatives
To Be Kanawha WV HEPC West Virginia Regional Technology Park Determined 49 Promote continued development and utilization of the WVRTP as a research and business park. Currently the Park is home to two Community Colleges, Matric Research Facility, TechconnectWV, Chemical Alliance Zone and a number of private companies.
Martin Peterbilt Park Putnam Putnam PSD $1,275,000 50 To provide sanitary sewer to the area known as the Martin Peterbilt property and to upgrade the lift station to accommodate the added flow
51 Yeager Marshall Apron and Air Park Kanawha US EDA $1,566,000
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To provide a Parking Apron for the Marshall University Flight School and extension of sewer services to a 25 acre area to be marketed as an Air Park.
City of South Kanawha $15,000,000.00? Park Place Center Charleston TIF 52 To construct a new shopping center in South Charleston from the Monsanto slurry pond along MacCorkle Avenue across from Riverwalk Plaza.
To Be Kanawha Charleston Slack Plaza Renovations Determined 53 To expand the outdoor experience from Capitol Street to Court Street including the Charleston Transit Mall, home of the Kanawha Valley Regional Transit Authority major destination. This plaza is the gateway to the Charleston Town Center, the major retail mall in downtown Charleston. Putnam PSD Capacity Improvement Project Putnam Putnam PSD $2,400,000 54 To rehabilitate the water filtering system that provides over 9,000 customers and businesses from a failure of water service in Putnam County. To Be Kanawha WV HEPC ChemCeption Business Incubator Determined 55 To define an Incubator specifically designed for the chemical industry that will foster new concepts in the Chemical Industry.
Smith Street Streetscape Kanawha WV DOT $1,700,000 56 This streetscape is a welcome entrance to the East End neighborhood which is home to the City' Historical District.
New US 35 Alignment in Putnam County Putnam WV DOT $98,400,000
57 This project would construct a four-lane median-divided highway between the Lower Buffalo Bridge (CR 869) to the Mason County line. This continuation of the improvements to US Route 35 would spur economic development along the roadway and increase the movement of goods to market. It would also reduce the number of fatal accidents along the two lane stretch of the current Rt 35. Clay County Industrial Park Clay CAEZ $5,000,000
58 To develop a commercial / industrial park and spec building that will serve either for rental or sale to increase jobs and increase the vitality of the local economy. Clay county has lost much of its tax base and ancillary businesses because of the closure of Fola (Consolidation) Coal. The area needs to see a revitalization of their job base to sustain their economy.
Inland River Port at Eleanor, WV Putnam PCDA $4,000,000
59 To develop a public river port near the Winfield lock and dam system. This port would move and store products from the Ohio and Kanawha rivers to the new U. S. Route 35 which begins in Teays Valley and continues northwesterly into Central and Northwestern Ohio. It would also connect to Interstate 64 and I- 77/79 to access most of the Northeast To Be 60 Kanawha CAA Kanawha County Industrial Park Determined
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Determine a location and develop an industrial park. The Land Task Force has identified a few possible sites and are evaluating the scope and cost of site development
Leon Sullivan Way Streetscape Kanawha WVDOT $500,000
61 Provide a streetscape entrance to downtown Charleston featuring the Clay Center, the Appalachian Power Park, the Capitol Market and the Charleston General Hospital. This entrance from Interstate 64 should be enhanced as a destination for area hotels and downtown living. This project includes Washington and Smith Streets.
Highway from Clay to Summersville Clay CAEZ $220,000,000
62 This project would provide a better alternative to travel between Clay and Summersville by using post mining land donated by Fola Coal and contracting the coal company to provide a two-lane highway across their permitted areas. This would also provide new opportunities for sites for new businesses, schools, housing and possible industrial parks. Dinner Theater and Shopping in Saint Albans Kanawha St Albans $2,000,000 63 To develop a dinner theater in the downtown area of St Albans that will help tourism and establish an anchor for its Arts Center in Saint Albans. To Be Kanawha Charleston Charleston Riverfront Development Determined 64 Promote the Kanawha Boulevard Area as a premier location for a riverscape area for businesses to locate. This will consist of residential, retail and commercial locations along the Kanawha Boulevard from Haddad Riverfront Park to the Elk River.
Improvements to US 60 in Kanawha County Kanawha WV DOT $31,300,000 65 This project would widen to a four-lane divided facility from the Admiral TJ Lopez Bridge (Chelyan Bridge) to CR 81 (Kellys Creek Road). This widening of US Route 60 would enhance the ability for business to grow and prosper in the Upper Kanawha Valley, an area affected by the loss of coal and coal-related employment. To Be Kanawha South Chas WV Sports Hall of Fame Determined 66 To determine the location and design of a sports center dedicated to West Virginia Athletes. Third Street Underpass Improvements in Saint Kanawha St Albans $9,600,000 Albans, WV 67 Widen the existing railroad underpass to three lanes and improve vertical clearance. This will open the City to a free-flowing access to the main section of the City. There are many commercial and retail sites available for expansion in the city core.
West Washington Streetscape Kanawha WV DOT $5,000,000
68 To provide a gateway entrance that will assist in the appeal of the West Side and help the West Side Main Street Association attract new businesses and assist current companies to expand. This complex street scape should be separated into six phases and would provide construction jobs and attract investment.
To Be 69 Kanawha WV HEPC Projects for WV Biosciences Association Determined
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Any project that envisions biosciences that create jobs and helps the local economy.
To Be All Workforce Coal Related Job Retraining Determined 70 To develop retraining or assist new businesses that will diversify the coal related economy.
Water and Sewer Projects to To Be All Any Utility Industrial/Commercial Parks Determined 71 Any project that will assist commercial or industrial businesses compete in the local, regional and global markets.
Hobet Residential, Industrial & Commercial Boone Unknown $100,000,000 Complex 72 To develop the Hobet surface mine to a total residential, commercial and industrial facility that would be self- contained in Southern West Virginia. Thousands of acres of developable land waiting for visions. Clay, Central West Virginia Trails Group Roane, CAEZ $500,000 73 Braxton To develop a walking, riding and biking trail network much like the successful Hatfields and McCoy trail system Kanawha, Region 3, Region Upper Kanawha Valley Gateway Project Fayette, $500,000 4 74 and Clay To develop a Gateway Project from the Upper Kanawha Valley to the natural beauty to the New River Gorge in Fayette County 55 SBA Federal and State Partnership (FAST) Grant TechConnectWV $188,000 counties 75 To assist start-up companies and expansion for training
Southern Peytona Indian Creek Resort Complex Unknown WV Development 76 To develop a Resort on approximately 23,000 acres which is in proximity to the Hatfield and McCoys public Trail system in Boone County and serves the southern part of West Virginia 40 TechWRK West Virginia TechConnectWV $500,000 counties 77 To assist start-up companies much like the two previous programs (STARTUP and SCALEUP)
Economic Development Planning Initiatives
78 Central West Virginia Trails Group Clay CAEZ $100,000
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Putnam, 79 Advantage Valley $100,000 Advantage Valley Site Identification Project Kanawha
80 Hobet Properties Boone BCEDA $200,000
81 Nitro Brownfields Redevelopment Assessment Putnam PCDA $200,000
Boone, Logan, 82 Coalfields Development Project Mingo, $250,000 Wyoming, Lincoln
Boone, Clay, 83 Regional Council $400,000 COVID 19 Pandemic Planning Grant Kanawha, Putnam
Broadband Projects
County 84 Clay $1,815,000 Clay County Broadband Implementation Grant Commission
85 CCR Regional Broadband Planning Grant Clay CCR Group $125,000
Town of Whitesville or 86 Boone $30,000 Whiteville Connectivity Project unformed non- profit Town of Buffalo Storm Sewer Project Along Putnam Town of Buffalo $800,000 87 Timms Street To provide storm sewers to 25 families along Timms Street and adjoining Streets Madison Storm Drainage Project Boone City of Madison $500,000 88 To provide storm drainage to areas that flood in high rainfall. Town of Storm Sewer Project along Railroad Kanawha $250,000 89 Chesapeake To provide storm drainage to areas that flood in high rainfall.
Boundary Street Storm Sewer Kanawha City of Nitro $250,000 90 To provide storm drainage to areas that flood in high rainfall.
85th and 98th Street Storm Sewers Kanawha Town of Marmet $641,000 91 To provide storm drainage to areas that flood in high rainfall.
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Chesterfield Avenue Storm Sewer Kanawha City of Charleston $300,000 92 To provide storm drainage to areas that flood in high rainfall.
Mountain Road Drainage Project Kanawha City of Charleston $128,000 93 To provide storm drainage to areas that flood in high rainfall.
North Charleston Storm Sewer Project Kanawha City of Charleston $98,000 94 To provide storm drainage to areas that flood in high rainfall.
Garrison Avenue Flood Drainage Kanawha City of Charleston Unknown 95 To provide storm drainage to areas that flood in high rainfall.
Parson's Court/5th Avenue Flood Drainage Kanawha Charleston $50,000 96 To provide storm drainage to areas that flood in high rainfall.
Municipal storm sewers Kanawha Town of Glasgow $550,000 97 To provide storm drainage to areas that flood in high rainfall.
Putnam County Teays Valley Storm Water Improvements Putnam $18,000,000 98 Planning To provide storm drainage to areas that flood in high rainfall.
Winfield Stormwater Improvements Putnam Town of Winfield $2,000,000 99 To provide storm drainage to areas that flood in high rainfall.
Millard and Linda Avenue Storm Sewers Putnam City of Hurricane $115,000 100 To provide storm drainage to areas that flood in high rainfall.
Eleanor Storm Sewers Putnam Town of Eleanor $500,000 101 To provide storm drainage to areas that flood in high rainfall. Buffalo Phase II Storm Sewer Project Putnam Town of Buffalo $496,300 102 To provide storm drainage to areas that flood in high rainfall.
Long Term Stormwater Control - MS4 Kanawha City of St Albans $500,000 103 To provide a plan to alleviate storm drainage in all areas of the City Flood Control along Curtiss, Monmouth, Kanawha City of St Albans $7,000,000 104 Walnut and Kanawha Terrace To provide storm drainage to areas that flood in high rainfall.
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Recreation Projects:
Clay County Improvements to Community Pool Clay $100,000 105 Commission To upgrade the Clay County Pool and bathrooms.
Clay County Livestock and Multi-use Pavilion Clay $355,000 106 Commission To build a multipurpose build that will house all facets of the park. Pool Filtration Replacement System Kanawha Town of Glasgow $38,600 107 To replace the filtration system at the community pool.
Community Center Kanawha St Albans $1,500,000 108 To build a community center for the youth of the City.
Town of Cedar Riverfront Park, Boat Ramp and Picnic Shelter Kanawha $210,000 109 Grove To develop a boat ramp and picnic area near the community park and playground in Cedar Grove.
Playground Equipment Putnam Town of Poca $13,446 110 Provide playground equipment to various park areas. Establish a Groundwork Trust Kanawha City of Charleston $175,000 111 Establish funding for a Groundwork Trust for the City of Charleston
Gateway Greenspace Kanawha City of Charleston $1,727,000 112 Any project that will assist commercial or industrial businesses compete in the local, regional and global markets.
Putnam County Putnam County Parks playground equipment Putnam $110,000 113 Parks To add playground equipment to various parks in Putnam County.
South Hurricane Recreation Area Putnam City of Hurricane $325,000 114 To add to the Park system for the City of Hurricane Putnam County Wetlands Park near Putnam Industrial Pk. Putnam Development $500,000 115 Authority To add a wetlands park at the Putnam Industrial Park in Fraziers Bottom.
Town of Danville & Walking Path and Bridge Wellness Trail Boone $875,000 116 Madison
To construct a bridge and extend a walking trail to connect to the current Madison Wellness Trail.
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City of Marina along Kanawha River Kanawha $4,000,000 117 Montgomery To develop a marina along the Kanawha River for the Upper Kanawha Valley. City of South Riverscape Park and Boat Launch Kanawha $6,000,000 118 Charleston To provide a boat launch and park under the 1-64 Bridge in South Charleston Sylvester Pavilion Park Boone Sylvester $200,000 119 To make improvements to the Sylvester Park, previously the Sylvester Elementary site Madison Trailhead and Canoe Livery Boone Madison $100,000 120 To provide a canoe launch and trailhead at the former Haddad Swimming Pool Boone County Boone $120,000 Splashpark at Waterways Comm 121 To provide a splashpark at waterways for the residents
Historic Preservation Projects:
Restoration of City Hall Kanawha City of Charleston $100,000 122 Restoration of City Hall
Buffalo Academy Rehabilitation Putnam Town of Buffalo $100,000 123 Rehabilitate the Buffalo Academy which is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Housing Projects:
Elderly and Handicapped Housing Units Kanawha City of St Albans $2,000,000 124 Provide additional units for the elderly and handicapped residents of St Albans.
Planning Projects:
City-Wide Storm Drainage Improvement Study Kanawha City of St Albans $44,000 125 Conduct a City-wide storm drainage improvement study for the City of St Albans.
Comprehensive Storm Water Evaluation Kanawha City of Charleston $700,000 126 Any project that will assist commercial or industrial businesses compete in the local, regional and global markets.
Unification of 3 East End Plans - GIS Project Kanawha City of Charleston $60,000 127 Any project that will assist commercial or industrial businesses compete in the local, regional and global markets.
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CSO and Asset Management Plan of Town Town of Cedar Kanawha $100,000 Grove 128 Sewer
Provide a CSO and Asset Management Plan for Cedar Grove to develop plans for a sanitary sewer upgrade.
Putnam County Putnam $50,000 Buffalo Region Zoning Ordinance Study Planning 129 Identify zoning ordinances and study their effects on the region
Putnam County Putnam $50,000 Buffalo Region Drainage Improvement Study Planning 130 Conduct a study of the drainage improvement for the Town of Buffalo
Putnam County Putnam County Recreational Trails Master Plan Putnam $50,000 131 Parks Conduct a Master Trail Plan for the Putnam County Parks and Recreation Note: Acronyms Boone Community Economic Development Authority BCCEDA Charleston Area Alliance CAA Central Appalachia Enterprise Zone CAEZ Putnam County Development Authority PCDA WV Department of Transportation WV DOT WV WV Higher Education Policy Commission HEPC Upper Kanawha Valley Enterprise Community UKVEC
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VII. FY 2020 CEDS Advisory Committee
FY 2020 CEDS Advisory Committee
Jeremy Young, Putnam County Commission
Tim Hanna, Putnam County Commission
Kris Mitchell, Boone County Development Authority
Andrew Dunlap, Putnam County Development Authority
Kim Reed, Nitro Development Authority
Anne Barth, TechConnect WV
Chris Ferro, Charleston Area Alliance
S.K. Miller, Citizen Member
D. Anne Cavalier, Ed.D., Cavalier Business Development
Connie Kinder, Clay County Commission
Lee Roberts, Tornado Products
Wyatt Hanna, South Charleston Attorney
Joy Underwood, Danville Motor Inn
Mark Sankoff, Potesta Engineering
Katy Mallory, Steptoe & Johnson
Barry McCune, Clay County Bank
Lawrence J. Malone, City of Charleston
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Regional Intergovernmental Council FY 2020 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Committee Meeting
By Conference Call May 6, 2020 2:00 p.m.
MINUTES
Attending:
Connie Kinder, Clay County Commission Tim Hanna, Putnam County Commission Kris Mitchell, Boone County Development Authority Chris Ferro, Charleston Area Alliance D. Anne Cavalier, Ed. D., Cavalier Business Development Terry Martin, Regional Intergovernmental Council Kara Greathouse, Regional Intergovernmental Council Joanna Keller, Regional Intergovernmental Council Andrew Dunlap, Putnam County Development Authority Anne Barth, TechConnect WV S.K. Miller, Retired, Workforce WV Investment Board Mark Sankoff, Potesta Engineering Katy Mallory, Steptoe & Johnson Barry McCune, Clay County Bank Lawrence Malone, City of Charleston
The meeting was called to order by Terry Martin of the Regional Intergovernmental Council staff.
I. Annual Hazard Mitigation Review
Kara Greathouse reviewed the Region 3 Hazard Mitigation Plan including the current Mitigation Strategies and Risk Assessments included in the Hazard Mitigation Plan. She asked if there were comments or questions and advised the committee members to submit any suggestions or changes they have to her.
II. Review Goals and Objectives
Terry Martin referred the committee members to the Goals, Objectives and Strategies which were distributed to the committee members. These were the same goals, objectives and strategies that
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FY 2020 CEDS were included in last year’s CEDS. He asked if there were comments, suggestions or changes and discussion ensued. The committee agreed to increase the priority of broadband by making broadband its own separate objective with increased connectivity for rural areas and G5 a focus. The committee also concluded that a specific goal about business recovery pertaining to the pandemic with strategies for the tourism and hospitality industries as well as other industries need to be included. Once the suggested changes are made Terry Martin will distribute the updated Goals, Objectives and Development Strategies by email to the committee for approval.
III. Review of Current Proposed Investments
Terry Martin presented the list of Economic Development Initiatives for the committee’s consideration. General discussion of the project listing ensued as well as discussion regarding the purpose of the list, which is twofold: 1) to include projects that may be considered for US EDA funding (projects must be on the CEDS to be eligible for EDA funds); and 2) to identify economic development projects that may be funded by non-EDA funding, thereby providing a planning basis for these projects. The list was derived from last year’s CEDS as well as input from local governments and economic development agencies. The committee decided to deduct the Civic Center Renovations from the list because the project is complete. Once the suggested changes are made Terry Martin will distribute the updated Economic Development Initiatives project listing by email to the committee for approval.
IV. Addition of New Investments
The following projects will be added to the Economic Development Initiatives for the FY 2020 CEDS Update: Park Place Center in South Charleston and the development project near Racine in Boone County.
V. Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 2:23 p.m.
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VIII. Appendix
Sources:
Charleston Gazette-Mail Coal Valley News Herald-Dispatch Montgomery Herald Boone County Development Authority Putnam County Development Authority TechConnectWV Clay County Free Press Workforce WV West Virginia Division of Culture and History WV MetroNews STATS America
United States Census Bureau
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