FY 2018 Update Regional Development Plan Region III – Boone, Clay, Kanawha & Putnam Counties
Prepared by:
Regional Intergovernmental Council 315 D Street South Charleston, WV 25303
September 2018
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Table of Contents
Page
I. Introduction and Purpose 3
II. The Regional Planning and Development Council Organization 4
III. Situation Assessment: The Area and Its Economy 31
Boone County 37 Clay County 49 Kanawha County 56 Putnam County 80
IV. Economic Resilience 95
V. References 96
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I. Introduction and Purpose of the Regional Development Plan (RDP)
The FY 2018 Regional Development Plan (RDP) update serves as a report on various topics, including the Regional Intergovernmental Council structure and programs and a description of the area and its economy.
1. Description of recent trends in the regional economy. 2. Description of progress over the past year. 3. Updated Regional Development Program for this fiscal year.
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II. The Regional Planning and Development Council Organization
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Within the Regional Council
COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVE Boone County Commission Mickey Brown Clay County Commission Jerry Linkinoggor Kanawha County Commission W. Kent Carper Putnam County Commission Andy Skidmore Town of Bancroft George Woodrum Town of Belle David Fletcher Town of Buffalo Paul D. Melton Town of Cedar Grove James B. Hudnall City of Charleston Danny Jones Town of Chesapeake Janet Armentrout Town of Clay Jason Hubbard Town of Clendenin Shana Clendenin 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 Peggy Fisher Town of Handley Essie Ford, Jr. City of Hurricane Scott Edwards City of Madison Sonny Howell Town 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 Manuel Arvon Town of Whitesville Fred V. Harless, Jr. Town of Winfield Randy Barrett Boone County Citizens Representative Kris Mitchell Clay County Citizens Representative David Pierson, Jr. Kanawha County Citizens Representative John Luoni Putnam County Citizens Representative Mark A. Stolle, Jr. City of Charleston Citizens Representative Dennis Strawn 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, Workforce Investment Board 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) Perry Keller, WV Department of Transportation Private Sector Representative (KVRTA) Doug Hartley, KVRTA Private Sector Representative Damron Bradshaw, Kanawha County 4-H Fdn. Private Sector Representative Eric Sharp, Labor Employees Coop. Trust Private Sector Representative Trina D. Sweeney, WV State University Private Sector Representative Anne Cavalier, Cavalier Business Development 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 Samuel Richardson
Project Administrator SoJuana Ellis
Project Coordinator Terry Martin
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RIC Officers
Chairman Anne Cavalier Private Sector Representative
1st Vice-Chairman William E. Cunningham Mayor, City of Dunbar
2nd Vice-Chairman Jay Snodgrass Mayor, City of Marmet
3rd Vice-Chairman S. K. Miller Private Sector Representative
Treasurer & Secretary Damron Bradshaw Private Sector Representative
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Mission, Structure and Programs
Mission
The Boone-Clay-Kanawha-Putnam Regional Intergovernmental Council (RIC) was established in 1970 as a voluntary association of local governments. In 1971, it was designated by then Governor Arch Moore as West Virginia Region III, one of eleven such councils in West Virginia. RIC is committed to promoting economic, environmental, educational, cultural and recreational growth in Boone, Clay, Kanawha and Putnam Counties.
RIC’s policy board is comprised primarily of representatives of 25 municipal and four county governments in the Region. The board acts as a forum for discussing mutual problems and dealing with issues that transcend political boundaries. The RIC staff works for all 29 units of government by assisting with multijurisdictional issues.
The general purpose of the Council as stated in its by-laws is as follows:
“The Council is organized and shall be operated as a cooperative organization of local governments for the promotion of public health, safety and welfare by providing improved public services and facilities, advancing the business prosperity and economic welfare and achieving a satisfactory level of living for the citizens of the area served by the Council.”
Structures
The Regional Intergovernmental Council (RIC) was formally organized in November 1971. RIC’s policy board has 48 members representing 29 local governments and 19 community representatives. The municipalities in this region are as follows:
Bancroft Belle Buffalo Cedar Grove Charleston Chesapeake Clay Clendenin Danville Dunbar East Bank Eleanor Glasgow Handley Hurricane Madison Marmet Nitro Poca Pratt St. Albans South Charleston Sylvester Whitesville Winfield
Each political unit, including the 25 municipalities and 4 counties, through its Chief elected official, has one vote on all council business. The 19 community representatives also have one vote each.
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The West Virginia State Legislature is divided into two houses: the Senate and the House of Delegates. Although the Senate and House members do not directly participate in the official business of RIC, a discussion of our Region’s representation is pertinent since legislature policies influence the direction of RIC activities. Seventeen state senatorial districts elect two representatives to serve four-year terms. Forty state delegate districts are so designated, electing 100 delegates for two-year terms. The following districts are included in RIC’s region:
Twenty-Ninth District Clay Thirteenth & Fourteenth Districts Putnam Eighteenth & Nineteenth Districts Boone Thirtieth, Thirty-First & Thirty-Second Districts Kanawha
Congressionally, Region 3 falls into two districts: Second District (Clay, Kanawha and Putnam) and the Third District (Boone).
The local contribution is based on a Council-adopted formula which uses assessed valuation and population to calculate each government’s share. Council activities are directed by the members at large and each member has one vote in Council deliberations. Council hopes in FY 2014-2018 to accomplish the following work products:
1) Prioritize Goals and Objectives 2) Continue Technical Assistance 3) Continue Local Planning Assistance Program 4) Continue Transportation Planning and Management Activities.
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Programs
The RIC staff keeps current on opportunities and funding sources to promote the goals of the local communities. The staff identifies grant and loan programs for individual projects and prepares applications for these funds, as well as providing technical assistance in the areas of comprehensive planning, transportation, annexation, incorporation and community and economic development.
Many of these functions can be closely attributed to the role of the classical planning agency. Council staff has, over the years, assisted in the preparation of zoning and other land use control ordinances, drafted city and town codes, advised on annexation and incorporation efforts, as well as undertaken directed surveys and studies on areas of concern to the community.
Since its designation by the Governor as “Section 134” Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) in 1973, the Regional Intergovernmental Council has been responsible for the coordination, review, programming and implementation of transportation and transit planning activities in Kanawha and Putnam counties. Transportation planning is accomplished through the use of Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funding. Funding is coordinated through the West Virginia Department of Transportation, Division of Planning.
RIC’s transportation staff addresses a number of modes of transportation: highways, mass transit, air, rail, water, bikeways/pedestrians, and specialized transportation of the elderly and handicapped. Historically, RIC has placed the greatest emphasis on highways, mass transit and specialized transportation. Transportation needs and projects are identified and addressed via RIC’s Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP).
The Council continues to emphasize expansion and improvement of the region’s infrastructure. Projects in this category are detailed in the functional Categories/Prioritized Goals section.
As the designated Economic Development District (EDD) for the region, RIC is responsible for conducting the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) process, which results in economic strategies and projects for the region.
Several mechanisms allow for citizen participation in the planning process: the composition of the RIC Board of Directors, the committee structure, the RIC newsletter, public hearings and extensive communications with local planning and development agencies.
The Council is composed of 29 local chief elected officials of the Region (four county commissioners and 25 mayors), as well as 19 citizen representatives selected to provide equitable representation from various jurisdictions and constituencies, including the private sector, labor, education, workforce development, and chambers of commerce.
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To receive advice and assistance from interested persons, RIC has established a number of advisory committees. These committees each address a particular area of concern and serve to broaden Council’s viewpoint and to strengthen the decision-making process. One such committee is the RIC Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Committee. The CEDS is charged with the monitoring and implementation of the CEDS activities.
An important part of RIC’s public information process is its newsletters (3 published yearly) and annual report, with a circulation of approximately 250. The publications keep a representative cross-section of our Region informed of the Council’s goals, objectives and activities. RIC also uses email to communicate with RIC members and other agencies and organizations.
The public hearing format can be an effective source of citizen communication. Transportation and community development agencies require public hearings on many projects. Besides public hearings sponsored by local governments in their normal financial decision-making process, each of the several local governments submitting project applications in the HUD-SCBG program must conduct two public hearings.
Another major avenue of citizen participation is the networking between RIC and other area agencies. These agencies (such as city/county planning bodies, Workforce Investment Boards, transportation agencies, local development corporations, etc.) share an interest in community development activities. These agencies have their own goals, objectives, and channels of public participation; and daily association among these groups increases the flow of citizen input.
Improvements in computer and internet technology have afforded new opportunities to communicate with the public. RIC posts documents and other information, including public meetings notices on its website (www.wvregion3.org). RIC has also conducted citizen surveys via the internet.
RIC also serves as a Census Affiliate Data Center and a Business and Industry Data Center, maintaining and distributing demographic and economic data on a request basis. It also acts as a “clearinghouse” for State Intergovernmental Review, allowing local governments and affected agencies the opportunity to be aware of, and comment on, federal funding applications of other entities.
Program Assessment
Region III goals have remained constant in recent years; objectives and strategies to accomplish these goals have changed little. A listing of functional categories in order of their importance, and the accomplishments toward the respective goals, are detailed on the following pages. Emphasis on water, sewer, and solid waste; economic development; and transportation goals are evident.
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The work program of the Council reflects the regional goals and demands of our local governments as well as the dictates of the federal funding units. Council activities can be categorized into three broad areas: local technical assistance, economic and community development, and transportation. Region III goals have remained the same during the current fiscal year; objectives and strategies to accomplish these goals have changed little. A listing of functional categories in order of their importance, and the accomplishments toward the respective goals, are detailed on the following pages. Emphasis on water, sewer, and solid waste; economic development; and transportation goals are evident.
The work program of the council reflects the regional goals and demands of our local governments as well as the dictates of the federal funding units. Council activities can be categorized into three broad areas: local technical assistance, economic and community development, and transportation.
Local Technical Assistance
The Council’s staff was involved in various stages of projects, including;
• Provided grant administration to ten or more local governments having HUD, EPA, USDA, 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 City of Madison, the Town of Sylvester and the Boone 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-evaluating their water and sanitary sewer system and reconfiguring their District Board.
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• Provided census and other data to 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.
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: Clay County Pack Fork and Independence Road Waterline Extension Project; 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, Dunbar Sewer Rehabilitation Project and Cedar Grove Sewer Project. RIC also assisted with funding requests for a number of 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 and participated in Madison City Improvements public meeting.
• Attended the WV Association of Regional Planning and Development Councils Annual Conference.
• Assisted Nitro Development Authority to set a brand for their community.
• 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.
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• Assisted TechConnect WV with an EDA economic adjustment application for their new Next Up 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.
• 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.
Long-Range Planning
Metropolitan Transportation Plan
During FY 2018, RIC transportation planning staff, in partnership with Kimley-Horn, Inc., completed the update to RIC's Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) for Kanawha and Putnam counties. The Kanawha Putnam 2045 Regional Transportation Plan is a multi-modal transportation planning that forecasts demographic, traffic and funding levels to plan for future transportation needs.
Clean Air Act
During FY 2018, RIC transportation planning staff continued to follow developments related to transportation-related requirements of the federal Clean Air Act. RIC is designated as a maintenance area for both 8-hour ozone and particulate matter (PM 2.5) pollutants. RIC maintains a Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) and Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), which are both in conformity with the State Implementation Plan under the Clean Air Act. In development of the MTP and TIP and any subsequent amendments, RIC has followed interagency consultation procedures in conjunction with the WVDEP’s Conformity SIP submittal.
Transportation Database/Geographic Information System (GIS)
RIC continued to expand the capabilities of its Geographic Information System with the acquisition of additional GIS data and hardware. RIC continues to employ GIS in most of its transportation planning activities, and to provide mapping and technical assistance for other GIS activities as well as for RIC members and other local public agencies requests.
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RIC has adapted Census 2010 data for use in our geographic database and has also distributed this data as requested. The Regional Council also produced several maps for the following agencies and organizations: Kanawha Valley Regional Transportation Authority, City of South Charleston, Town of Clay and others.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Initiatives
RIC has reinstated the Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee to conduct an update to the Kanawha – Putnam Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan. This plan will be completed during FY 2019 and will examine bicycle and pedestrian conditions in Kanawha and Putnam counties and make recommendations for improvements.
Census Management Planning
RIC continues to maintain its census library of printed and digital data materials. It responded to census requests from officials, agencies and the public, as part of its Affiliate Data Center program.
Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)
During the course of the year, RIC updated the TIP quarterly, consistent with WVDOT’s quarterly Statewide TIP schedule.
Transit Planning
RIC has worked with the Kanawha Valley Regional Transportation Authority (KVRTA) on the annual KVRTA route-level service analysis. RIC also assisted KVRTA with public outreach meetings and market surveys.
Corridor Studies
The St. Albans/3rd St. and Cross Lanes/WV 622 were completed in FY 2016. These corridor studies gave recommendations to be considered in the Kanawha-Putnam MTP. Most of FY 2017 was devoted to the continued update of the Kanawha-Putnam MTP. Future corridor studies will be suggested within the MTP’s recommendations.
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Regional Planning Process
To receive advice and assistance from interested persons, RIC established advisory committees to address particular areas of concern. The Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) committee monitors and implements activities and is active in the CEDS process. The CEDS is also subject to public review.
Transportation and community development agencies require public hearings on many projects. Besides public hearings sponsored by local governments in their normal financial decision-making process, each of the several local governments submitting project applications in the HUD- CDBG program must conduct two public hearings.
Annually, RIC staff initiates correspondence by requesting the formal submission to its office of known projects in the formative stages. Frequent contact during the year with officials throughout the Region ensures the project list is current and up to date. The projects are then listed in functional areas.
These areas are prioritized in order of importance relative to the Region’s emphasis on development: 1. water/sewer 2. economic development 3. transportation 4. community development 5. housing
After the projects are grouped by functional category, they are prioritized within each category according to the process outlined below: RIC determines a project’s priority rating using the following ten criteria: 1. conformity to regional goals, objectives and development priorities 2. multiple regional needs 3. number of persons benefiting 4. job creation potential/unemployment 5. job retention potential 6. benefit to low and moderate-income persons 7. funding commitment (local, private, state, federal) 8. utilizes existing public facilities or enhances existing programs 9. adds a needed public facility 10. applicant’s past performance
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Water Projects:
Project Name County Sponsor Project Cost ID NO. Morrisvale Cameo Waterline Extension Boone Boone County PSD $4,000,000 1 To provide water service to approximately 170 residents in Boone and Lincoln County from Woodvale to Morrisvale and the Cameo area that were affected by pre-1977 mining practices.
Prenter Phase II Waterline Extension Boone Boone County PSD $2,150,000 2 To provide potable water to the residents of Prenter proper, approximately 50 families, which currently have untested well water and mining has changed the water table. Boone Raleigh Boone $4,000,000 Boone Raleigh PSD Water Treatment Plant PSD 3 To build a new water treatment facility along the Big Coal River. The current plant was built in 1935 and some of the equipment cannot be replaced. The system is held together by dedicated operators. The plant services over 600 residences in Whitesville, Sylvester and Seng Creek in Boone County.
Clay County PSD Phase II Waterline Extension Clay Clay County PSD $5,000,000 4 To provide potable water to the approximately 130 residences in the Independence and Pack Road area of Clay County. These residents were cut out of the original project in 2006 and have been patiently waiting for additional funding.
Clay County PSD Interconnection Project Clay Clay County PSD $1,200,000 5 This project would make available additional flow and pressure to the northern area of Clay County. Currently there is a bottleneck and insufficient storage to provide additional customers with needed water for projects to be developed in the northern section of Clay County along Interstate 79 and beyond.
Clay County PSD Big Otter Nebo Waterline Clay Clay County PSD $2,500,000 To provide potable water to the 100 households near Interstate 79. This project has been developed for over 20 6 years with the inability of the Town of Clay to supply the necessary capacity of water to the residents. The Town of Clay completed their new plant in 2013 which doubles their volume and storage. The treatment plant can only be successful if additional customers are added in the near future.
Moorefield (Ossie Road) Waterline Extension Clay Clay County PSD $1,500,000 7 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 To provide potable water along the Elk River from the current Clay Roane plant to the new Hartland Bridge 8 (Route 16) This project serves many residences and camps on both sides of the river and opens valuable land development for economic development.
9 Clay Roane PSD Tank and Booster Upgrade Clay Clay Roane PSD $975,000
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This project replaces an antiquated 30,000-gallon tank that was constructed by volunteers in the 1980's and has surpassed its useful life. The pump station feeding the tank is out dated and needs to be replaced. The project serves an additional 7 customers and improves the pressure to 15 other current residents.
Blue Knob Waterline Extension Clay Town of Clay $3,000,000 10 This waterline project will serve up to 40 residences with potable water. This area which is not in the town was deemed to be served by the Clay County Commission as the logical provider since the town currently has service at the beginning of Blue Knob Road.
Kanawha County Kanawha $2,547,000 Leatherwood Waterline Extension Commission 11 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 12 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 13 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 East Putnam County Waterline Extension Putnam Unknown 14 Commission To provide potable water service to the residents of eastern Putnam County. Putnam County Tackett's Branch Waterline Extension Putnam Unknown 15 Commission To provide potable water service to the residents of Tacket's Branch in Putnam County. Putnam County Manila Ridge Waterline Extension Putnam $1,776,000 16 Commission To provide potable water service to the residents of the Manila Ridge in Putnam County. Putnam County Putnam $2,300,000 Phase II Jim Bee Ridge Waterline Extension Commission 17 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:
WWTP Upgrade and Line Rehabilitation Boone Boone County PSD $4,300,000 18 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 19 To upgrade the wastewater treatment plant in Glasgow by adding a clearwell and additional pump and housing to the system.
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Foster Phase 1 Sanitary Sewer Extension Boone Boone County PSD $5,000,000 20 Provide sanitary sewer to Route 3, Rock Creek, for the 68 residents to the Southern Community and Technical Collage.
Foster Phase 2 Sanitary Sewer Extension Boone Boone County PSD $5,500,000 21 Provide sanitary sewer to Route 3, Rock Creek, from Southern Community and Technical College to the mouth of Foster Hollow serving approximately 75 customers.
Foster Phase 3 Sanitary Sewer Extension Boone Boone County PSD $6,500,000 22 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 Boone Raleigh Boone $5,000,000 23 and Line i\Improvements 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 24 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 25 To construct the sewer line extension that connects Brown's Creek, Volpe Road and areas toward Tornado 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 26 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 27 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 28 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 29 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 30 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 31 To provide sewer service to the unserved areas of Fraziers Bottom.
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Putnam PSD Upgrade of North Putnam Plant Putnam Putnam PSD $2,150,000 32 To upgrade the North Putnam WWTP.
Lens Creek Sewer Extension Phase I Kanawha Kanawha PSD $5,100,000 33 To provide service to approximately 220 residences along Route 94 (Lens Creek Road) from Marmet to the Boone County line, to be collected at the Marmet WWTP.
Lens Creek Sewer Extension Phase II Kanawha Kanawha PSD $4,700,000 34 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 35 To replace an outdated lagoon treatment system with a state-of-the-art plant to serve the growing population of the town and surrounding areas.
Rock Creek Industrial Park Sewer Extension Boone Boone County PSD Unknown 36 To provide sanitary sewer to the Rock Creek Industrial Park, formerly Hobet Surface Mine.
Upper Witcher Creek Sewer Extension Kanawha Kanawha PSD $2,100,000 37 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 38 To provide sidewalks and sidewalk upgrades throughout the Town. Clay Streetscape Project Clay Town of Clay $200,000 39 To add to the streetscape design in the town by increasing the design and implementation of the current streetscape. Clay Fire Station Rehabilitation Clay Clay County Comm $241,000 40 To purchase and build a new fire station in Clay, WV.
St. Albans Spot Slum and Blight Kanawha City of St. Albans $150,000 41 To promote certain buildings 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 42 To provide funds to repave Second Avenue in the City.
Orchard Manor Bridge Replacement Kanawha City of Charleston $600,000 43 To replace the bridge to a low income housing area in the City of Charleston. 44 South Hills Streetscape Kanawha City of Charleston $750,000
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To add charm and flair to the business district along Bridge Road, an eclectic area of the city. CASE Project for Arts and Science Center Kanawha City of Charleston Unknown 45 To update the streetscape at the Clay Center at Leon Sullivan Way. Capitol Street Streetscape Kanawha City of Charleston $80,000 46 To update the streetscape in the heart of Charleston. Sidewalk and Street Paving Project Kanawha City of Dunbar $398,614 47 To provide funding for street paving and sidewalk repair to the main thoroughfare of the city.
10th Street Streetscape Kanawha City of Dunbar $252,153 48 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 49 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 50 To provide access to the Historic Red House building that is also the seat of government for the Town of Eleanor.
Community Center on Morris Drive Kanawha City of Montgomery $4,000,000 51 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 52 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 53 Promote continued development and utilization of the WVRTP as a research and business park. Currently the WVRTP is home to two community colleges, Matric Research Facility, TechConnectWV, Chemical Alliance Zone and a number of private companies.
WV 601 (Jefferson Road) Improvements Kanawha WV DOT $55,000,000 54 This project would widen the highway to five lanes from McCorkle Avenue to US 119 (Corridor G), construct a connector road from RHL Blvd at Trace Fork Shopping Center to Jefferson Road and construct a flyover bridge over CSX mainline tracks and Kanawha Terrace.
Slack Plaza Renovations Kanawha Charleston $8,000,000 55 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.
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Shell Building at Putnam County Park Putnam PCDA $2,000,000 56 To develop a spec building that will serve either for rental or sale to increase jobs and increase the vitality of the local economy. To Be Kanawha WV HEPC ChemCeption Business Incubator Determined 57 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 This streetscape is a welcome entrance to the East End neighborhood which is home to the City Historical District 58 and another entrance close to the Capitol Complex. This would assist the East End's Main Street Association to showcase the Capitol Market, The Charleston Furniture District and Laidley Field which is the premier sports complex in the City of Charleston. This includes Morris and Ruffner Streets.
To Be Kanawha WV HEPC Innovation Adoption and Transfer Consortium Determined 59 Establish a consortium to deal with the innovation of new and expanding business that are developed in the business park and the area.
New US 35 Alignment in Putnam County Putnam WV DOT $98,400,000
60 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. Civic Center Renovations Kanawha Charleston $80,000,000 61 To provide either an upgrade or partial construction of a new facility. The current center is dated and needs to be improved and areas added at the request of conferences that utilize the facility.
Clay County Industrial Park Clay CAEZ $5,000,000
62 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
63 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 Kanawha CAA Kanawha County Industrial Park Determined 64 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.
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Leon Sullivan Way Streetscape Kanawha WVDOT $500,000
65 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 This project would provide a better alternative to travel between Clay and Summersville by using post mining land 66 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 67 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 68 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
69 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 Charleston WV Sports Hall of Fame Determined 70 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 71 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
72 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 Kanawha WV HEPC Projects for WV Biosciences Association Determined 73 Any project that envisions biosciences that create jobs and helps the local economy.
To Be 74 All Workforce Coal Related Job Retraining Determined
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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 75 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 76 To develop the Hobet surface mine into a residential, commercial and industrial facility that would be self- contained in Southern West Virginia. Thousands of acres of developable land waiting for visions.
Clay, Roane, CAEZ $500,000 Central West Virginia Trails Group Braxton 77
To develop a walking, riding and biking trail network much like the successful Hatfield and McCoy trail system.
Putnam, Cabell, Wayne, Advantage Valley $370,000 Advantage Valley Site Identification Project Lincoln, 78 Kanawha and Clay
To develop 5 sites and marketing for future companies or industrial development to begin.
Kanawha, Upper Kanawha Valley Gateway Project Fayette, and Region 3, Region 4 $500,000 79 Clay To develop a Gateway Project from the Upper Kanawha Valley to the natural beauty to the New River Gorge in Fayette County.
REV-UP West Virginia 40 counties TechConnectWV $500,000 80 To assist start-up companies much like the two previous programs (STARTUP and SCALEUP).
Economic Development Planning Initiatives
81 Technical Assistance to Innovative Businesses Kanawha TechConnectWV $500,000
82 Central West Virginia Trails Group Clay CAEZ $100,000
Putnam, 83 Advantage Valley $100,000 Advantage Valley Site Identification Project Kanawha
84 Hobet Properties Boone BCEDA $200,000
85 Nitro Brownfields Redevelopment Assessment Putnam PCDA $200,000
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Boone, Logan, 86 Coalfields Development Project Mingo, $250,000 Wyoming, Lincoln
Planning Grant for Development of New Highway 87 Clay CAEZ $315,000 in Clay County Coonskin Park Bridge Economic Development 88 Kanawha CAA $500,000 Planning Grant
Broadband Projects
89 CCR Regional Broadband Planning Grant Clay CCR Group $125,000
Town of Whitesville 90 Whiteville Connectivity Project Boone or unformed $30,000 non-profit
Storm Sewer Projects:
Town of Buffalo Storm Sewer Project along Putnam Town of Buffalo $580,000 91 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 92 To provide storm drainage to areas that flood in high rainfall.
Town of Storm Sewer Project along Railroad Kanawha $250,000 93 Chesapeake To provide storm drainage to areas that flood in high rainfall.
Boundary Street Storm Sewer Kanawha City of Nitro $250,000 94 To provide storm drainage to areas that flood in high rainfall.
85th and 98th Street Storm Sewers Kanawha Town of Marmet $641,000 95 To provide storm drainage to areas that flood in high rainfall.
Chesterfield Avenue Storm Sewer Kanawha City of Charleston $300,000 96 To provide storm drainage to areas that flood in high rainfall.
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Mountain Road Drainage Project Kanawha City of Charleston $128,000 97 To provide storm drainage to areas that flood in high rainfall.
North Charleston Storm Sewer Project Kanawha City of Charleston $98,000 98 To provide storm drainage to areas that flood in high rainfall.
Garrison Avenue Flood Drainage Kanawha City of Charleston Unknown 99 To provide storm drainage to areas that flood in high rainfall.
Parson's Court/5th Avenue Flood Drainage Kanawha Charleston $50,000 100 To provide storm drainage to areas that flood in high rainfall.
Municipal Storm Sewers Kanawha Town of Glasgow $550,000 101 To provide storm drainage to areas that flood in high rainfall.
Putnam County Teays Valley Storm Water Improvements Putnam $18,000,000 102 Planning To provide storm drainage to areas that flood in high rainfall.
Winfield Stormwater Improvements Putnam Town of Winfield $2,000,000 103 To provide storm drainage to areas that flood in high rainfall.
Millard and Linda Avenue Storm Sewers Putnam City of Hurricane $115,000 104 To provide storm drainage to areas that flood in high rainfall.
Eleanor Storm Sewers Putnam Town of Eleanor $500,000 105 To provide storm drainage to areas that flood in high rainfall.
Buffalo Phase II Storm Sewer Project Putnam Town of Buffalo $496,300 106 To provide storm drainage to areas that flood in high rainfall.
Long-term Stormwater Control - MS4 Kanawha City of St. Albans $500,000 107
To provide a plan to alleviate storm drainage in all areas of the city.
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Flood Control along Curtiss, Monmouth, Walnut Kanawha City of St. Albans $7,000,000 108 and Kanawha Terrace To provide storm drainage to areas that flood in high rainfall.
Recreation Projects:
Clay County Improvements to Community Pool Clay $100,000 109 Commission To upgrade the Clay County Pool and bathrooms.
Clay County Livestock and Multi-use Pavilion Clay $355,000 110 Commission To build a multipurpose build that will house all facets of the park.
Pool Filtration Replacement System Kanawha Town of Glasgow $38,600 111 To replace the filtration system at the community pool.
Community Center Kanawha St. Albans $1,500,000 112 To build a community center for the youth of the city.
Town of Cedar Riverfront Park, Boat Ramp and Picnic Shelter Kanawha $210,000 113 Grove To develop a boat ramp and picnic area near the community park and playground in Cedar Grove.
Playground Equipment Putnam Town of Poca $13,446 114 Provide playground equipment to various park areas.
Establish a Groundwork Trust Kanawha City of Charleston $175,000 115
Establish funding for a Groundwork Trust for the City of Charleston.
Gateway Greenspace Kanawha City of Charleston $1,727,000 116 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 $110,000 117 Parks To add playground equipment to various parks in Putnam County.
South Hurricane Recreation Area Putnam City of Hurricane $325,000 118 To add to the park system for the City of Hurricane.
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Putnam County Wetlands Park near Putnam Industrial Pk. Putnam Development $500,000 119 Authority To add a wetlands park at the Putnam Industrial Park in Fraziers Bottom.
Town of Danville & Walking Path and Bridge Wellness Trail Boone $875,000 120 Madison
To construct a bridge and extend a walking trail to connect to the current Madison Wellness Trail.
Marina along Kanawha River Kanawha City of Montgomery $4,000,000 121
To develop a marina along the Kanawha River for the Upper Kanawha Valley.
City of South Riverscape Park and Boat Launch Kanawha $6,000,000 122 Charleston
To provide a boat launch and park under the 1-64 Bridge in South Charleston. Sylvester Pavilion Park Boone Sylvester $200,000 123 To make improvements to the Sylvester Park, previously the Sylvester Elementary site. Madison Trailhead and Canoe Livery Boone Madison $100,000 124 To provide a canoe launch and trailhead at the former Haddad Swimming Pool.
Splash Park at Waterways Boone Boone County Comm $120,000 125 To provide a splash park at waterways for the residents.
Historic Preservation Projects:
Restoration of City Hall Kanawha City of Charleston $100,000 126 Restoration of City Hall. Buffalo Academy Rehabilitation Putnam Town of Buffalo $100,000 127 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 $2,000,000 128
Provide additional units for the elderly and handicapped residents of St Albans.
Planning Projects:
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City-Wide Storm Drainage Improvement Study Kanawha City of St. Albans $44,000 129
Conduct a city-wide storm drainage improvement study for the City of St Albans.
Comprehensive Storm Water Evaluation Kanawha City of Charleston $700,000 130
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 $60,000 131
Any project that will assist commercial or industrial businesses compete in the local, regional and global markets.
Town of Cedar Kanawha $100,000 CSO and Asset Management Plan of Town Sewer Grove 132
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 133
Identify zoning ordinances and study their effects on the region.
Putnam County Putnam $50,000 Buffalo Region Drainage Improvement Study Planning 134
Conduct a study of the drainage improvement for the Town of Buffalo.
Putnam County Putnam $50,000 Putnam County Recreational Trails Master Plan Parks 135
Conduct a Master Trail Plan for the Putnam County Parks and Recreation.
Note: Acronyms Boone County Economic Development Authority BCEDA Charleston Area Alliance CAA Central Appalachia Enterprise Zone CAEZ Putnam County Development Authority PCDA WV Department of Transportation WV DOT WV Higher Education Policy Commission WV HEPC Upper Kanawha Valley Enterprise Community UKVEC
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III. Situation Assessment: The Area and Its Economy
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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 the 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. 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 comprised of multiple agencies and continues its’ primary focus on assisting regions and communities that have been directly impacted by coal-related losses. 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, ARC has awarded $94 million through the POWER Initiative to help coal-impacted communities in 250 Appalachian counties diversify and grow their economies. These 114 investments are projected to create or retain almost 8,800 jobs, leverage an additional $210 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.
POWER Grant Award Summaries:
$2,196,450 ARC grant to the Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education in Charleston, WV, for the EntreEd K-14: Every Student, Every Year project. The EntreEd program enables K–12 teachers to integrate entrepreneurial content and context into delivery of required standards in any subject or grade level. The project will educate the next generation of Appalachia’s workforce to create their own businesses to drive the local economy.
$1,372,275 ARC grant to the Hatfield McCoy Regional Recreation Authority in Man, WV, for the Southern Coalfields Sustainable Tourism & Entrepreneurship Program. ARC funds will develop and implement a comprehensive program to expand tourism-related employment and businesses
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FY18 RDP in southern West Virginia and will foster Hatfield McCoy Trail expansion in Kentucky and Virginia. In addition, the award provides for the deployment of a coordinated marketing effort, which will increase the region-wide economic impact of the Trails by $13,000,000 per year. The project will create 225 jobs and 50 new businesses along the Trails and will be supported by funding from the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation.
$1,073,304 ARC grant to the West Virginia Regional Technology Park Corporation in South Charleston, WV, for the Green Mining Model Business Program. The project brings 17 public and private partners together to operate a system of linked activities designed to use reclaimed soils on inactive surface mining land to grow value-added crops; extract high-value products from these crops and market/sell them; and leverage land reclamation, crop cultivation, and chemical extraction and processing activities to provide displaced coal and energy industry workers across 13 West Virginia counties with training, employment, and entrepreneurial opportunities. The project will focus primarily on training these displaced workers to farm and cultivate lavender— during a demonstration of the project, it was discovered that cultivation of 2.5 acres of lavender supported the direct and indirect employment of 25 individuals. The WV National Guard and coal company partners will donate free or reduced-cost land and land preparation assistance to the project, and the West Virginia Regional Technology Park will provide access to its multi-million- dollar chemical manufacturing facilities. The project will create 250 direct and indirect jobs, leverage $459,987 private investment, and create six new businesses. Additional funding for will be provided by the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation.
$856,050 ARC grant to the West Virginia Healthy Kids and Family Coalition (HKFC) in Charleston, WV, for the Growing Social Enterprise and Healthy Communities project. HKFC will expand the successful Try This WV economic and community development program to 15 local communities in the service territory— which will enable them to phase-in second stage development activities designed to improve community vitality and health. Simultaneously, Strong Mountain Communities, a southern West Virginia economic development organization, will build a pre-market social enterprise development program and create an Investors’ Circle; combined, these two activities will deliver technical assistance directly to social entrepreneurs, and will raise capital to invest in the creation and expansion of local social enterprises. The project will serve 23 counties in southern West Virginia, create 100 jobs, leverage $1,200,000 in private and community financing, and will provide for 200 entrepreneurs and community leaders to receive in-depth technical assistance.
$362,989 ARC grant to the Center for Rural Health Development, Inc., in Hurricane, WV, for the WV Rural Health Infrastructure Loan Fund project. ARC funds will assist in capitalizing a revolving loan fund designed to strengthen the health care industry in a 25-county region in central West Virginia. In addition, the award will provide technical and business development assistance to existing health care providers with business-related needs. The project will create or retain 65 jobs, yield $1,000,000 of financing for health care businesses, and provide 216 organizations with technical assistance.
$200,000 ARC grant to the West Virginia Development Office for the Hobet Strategic Plan. West Virginia will receive technical assistance to develop a detailed economic assessment and strategic plan for the best use of the Hobet Surface Mine Site in Boone and Lincoln Counties, previously the largest surface mining operation in the state.
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$20,800 ARC technical assistance grant to KVC Health Systems, Inc., in Charleston, WV, for the KVC Health Systems College project. The technical assistance will help KVC Health Systems develop a feasibility study for the KVC College concept, which envisions repurposing the former campus of the West Virginia University Institute of Technology in Fayette County into a specialized, accredited college with a focus on young adults emerging from foster care. The feasibility study will evaluate the site for redevelopment and determine the appropriate workforce and life skills programming that will benefit the region. The downturn in the regional coal economy and the closure of the WVU Tech branch campus provide an opportunity to recruit and create a skilled workforce and make non-residential educational programming available. Once the feasibility study and workforce plans are completed, KVC Health Systems will explore various funding opportunities to implement the full concept.
Map of Census Tracts in Region 3 in Distress
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Roads to Prosperity Program
During the special election on October 7, 2017 West Virginia voters approved the sale of $1.6 billion in general obligation bonds. The bonds are part of Governor Jim Justice’s Roads to Prosperity Program. The Roads to Prosperity Program is expected to bring more jobs and better roads to the state of West Virginia, while developing a strong, safe and reliable transportation infrastructure. Governor Jim Justice stated that the program is crucial for West Virginia’s turnaround from several years of economic downturn. Big projects that will have regional impacts include widening I-64 from Huntington to Charleston, plus a new Nitro-Saint Albans bridge and widening the West Virginia Turnpike. The plan is predicted to create 48,000 immediate jobs, according to a study completed by Duke University. Division of Highways officials stated that they hope to hire as many West Virginians as possible for the jobs and they plan to keep many new hires around long after the completion of road bond projects
Demographics
Below, Table 1 displays the amounts of civilian labor force, total employment, total unemployment and percentages of unemployment rates for each of Region III’s 4 counties. As of June 2018, the State of West Virginia had an overall unemployment rate of 5.4 percent.
Table 1 Civilian Labor Force Total Employment Total Unemployment Unemployment Rate
County June 2018 June 2017 June 2018 June 2017 June 2018 June 2017 June 2018 June 2017
Boone 7,880 7,860 7,380 7,360 500 510 6.3% 6.5%
Clay 3,220 3,230 2,980 2,970 240 260 7.5% 8.2%
Kanawha 86,330 86,020 81,970 81,720 4,360 4,300 5.1% 5.0%
Putnam 26,300 26,210 24,930 24,940 1,370 1,270 5.2% 4.8%
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BOONE COUNTY
Upper Big Branch Miners Memorial
Water Ways Park
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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
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 a distance of 37 miles.
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UTILILTIES
Water There are two Public Service Districts that provide water to Boone County. They are Boone Co. PSD and Boone-Raleigh PSD. Boone County PSD supplies water to Madison and Danville and the major portion of Boone County. Much of the water is supplied by the WV-American Water Company through public-private partnership.
Electric American Electric Power (AEP) provides electric power throughout Boone Co.
Gas and Other Natural gas is supplied by Ashford Gas, Southern Public Service District, Pennzoil and Hope Natural Gas, Inc. Coal, fuel oil and propane are readily available from local suppliers.
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
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Economy
Boone County, an area that has relied and thrived primarily on coal production has seen some improvement in the economy but continues to struggle after the closure of several mines in the area. The unemployment rate has dropped from 11.3% in March 2016 to 6.3% in March 2018.
Hatfield-McCoy Trails
The West Virginia Community Development Hub located in Clarksburg has been working to foster entrepreneurship in Madison through recreation and tourism associated with the Hatfield-McCoy ATV Trails to help diversify the economy in Boone County. The Hatfield-McCoy Trails are made up of over 700 miles of trails in southern West Virginia and one of the largest off-highway vehicle trail systems in the world. The West Virginia Community Development Hub has seen land- based trail projects around hiking and biking from a previous innovation acceleration program in Boone County. There has been an increase in resources available to communities; the Appalachian Regional Commission’s POWER program has put $92 million within the past two years into the region for economic development. According to Jeff Lusk, director of the Hatfield McCoy Regional Recreation Authority in June of 2017 the Appalachian Regional Commission gave a $1.3 million POWER grant to their organization to help expand tourism related business opportunities along the Hatfield McCoy Trail. According to an Economic Impact Study completed a Marshall University’s Center for Business and Economic Research the Hatfield-McCoy Trails day-to-day operations generated an additional $1.6 million in economic activity within the state, for a total operational impact of $3.3 million. Even more notably, the Hatfield-McCoy Trails bring non-local visitors to the area whose spending is estimated to generate an additional $19 million in economic activity in West Virginia. Together, the total estimated economic impact of the Hatfield-McCoy Trails is more that $22 million.
Grant for Boone County Courthouse Repairs
Approval of $1.68 million in grants by the West Virginia Courthouse Facilities Improvement Authority includes improvements for courthouse repairs and renovations at the Boone County Courthouse. The Boone County Court House will receive much-needed concrete work related to sidewalks and replacement of the original railing that once adorned the grounds. The concrete repairs will include the sidewalks and steps and walks that lead into the courthouse.
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Boone Memorial Hospital Opens Black Lung Center
The Boone Memorial Hospital has opened a new Black Lung Center. The Black Lung Center will help miners file federal black lung claims and offer federal black lung testing. In addition, the Black Lung Center will perform B-Read chest x-rays, spirometry testing to determine breathing capacity, EKG’s, exercise stress testing and a complete physical by a physician. The Division of Labor will be partnering with the Boone Memorial Hospital Black Lung Center in hosting outreach events, which will help participants complete federal black lung claims.
$2.7 Million Remodel to Madison Kroger
The Kroger in Madison completed a $2.7 million remodeling project in November 2017, which has increased employment to more than 100 jobs. The store now has a new modern appearance and a fresh image that has improved the shopping experience for customers.
Renewable Energy Project at Rock Creek Development Park
Green Line Energy signed a land agreement on April 3, 2018 to purchase a portion of the Rock Creek Industrial Site. According to the National Guard nothing is official yet, but talks have taken place to discuss potential pilot projects. The company plans to create a renewable energy plant that will work with the National Guard and private businesses. This is the first private business to move to Rock Creek Industrial Park and partner with the National Guard. Green Line would provide power for the National Guard and sell power to companies. Daniel Hicks CEO of Green Line Energy stated that they will build systems that run off wind, solar and hydrogen gas and can power a car or truck and they plan to put these systems on portable trucks and build micro-grid systems to go worldwide. He stated that the excessive heat coming from converting solar, wind and hydro into energy will be used to power greenhouses where fruits and vegetables can be grown year-round. Green Line also plans to filter mine drainage water to purify for drinking.
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Danville Community Boat Launch
The Town of Danville has a new boat launch. The new boat launch will provide quick, safe and easy access to the Little Coal River. The boat launch site is adjacent to the Bob Cee City Park. Funding for the project came from a $15,000 Government Participation Grant that was supported by Senator Ron Stollings. The ramp is handicap accessible and has been primarily used by kayakers and canoe enthusiasts from both inside and outside of Boone County, which will help to boost tourism dollars for local businesses.
Top Ten Employers in Boone County
1. Boone County Board of Education 2. Elk Run Coal Company, Inc. 3. Boone Memorial Hospital 4. Blackhawk Mining, LLC 5. Maxxim Shared Services, LLC 6. Boone County Commission 7. Panhandle Support Services, Inc. 8. Hillcrest Health Care Center, LLC 9. ERP Compliant Fuels, LLC 10. Kroger
Source: Workforce WV, March 2017
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Boone County Boone County - People Quick Facts Population, 2017 estimate 22,349
Population, 2016 estimate 22,816
Population, 2010 (April 1) estimates base 24,627
Population, percent change - April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2017 -9.3%
Population, percent change - April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2016 -7.4%
Population, 2010 24,629
High school graduate or higher, percent of persons age 25+, 2012-2016 79.2%
Bachelor's degree or higher, percent of persons age 25+, 2012-2016 8.7%
Veterans, 2012-2016 1,470
Mean travel time to work (minutes), workers age 16+, 2012-2016 32.2
Households, 2012-2016 9,466
Persons per household, 2012-2016 2.48
Per capita income in past 12 months (2016 dollars), 2012-2016 $20,711
Median household income, 2012-2016 $37,820
Persons in poverty, percent 24.2%
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Boone County Community Profiles
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Town of Danville
Location
The Town of Danville is located along Route 3 and Corridor G in Boone County. It is bounded in the east by the City of Madison and bisected by the Coal River.
Population
According to the 2010 census, the population has increased from the previous decennial census. The Town has 691 residents compared to 550 residents in 2000. The largest population segment includes people in the 55 to 59 year and 85 and over age groups (each 8.2%). Children of school age make up 11.6% of the population while seniors account for 31.3% of the Town’s population. The median age of the residents of Danville is 53.6.
PERSONS PERCENTAGE 0-4 36 5.3% 5-9 30 4.3% 10-14 28 4.1% 15-19 22 3.2% 20-24 32 4.6% 25-29 33 4.8% 30-34 40 5.8% 35-39 31 4.5% 40-44 26 3.8% 45-49 31 4.5% 50-54 53 7.7% 55-59 57 8.2% 60-64_____55 8.0% 65-69_____47___6.8% 70-74_____30___4.3% 75-79_____39___5.6% 80-84_____44___6.4% 85+ 57 8.2%
According to the 2010 census data, 22.2% of families live below the national poverty level. The median household income is $ 35,000 while the per capita income is $18,321.
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City of Madison
Location
The City of Madison is located along Route 3 and Route 85 in Boone County and is bordered by the City of Danville to the west. The City is bisected by the Coal River and is the County seat.
The Population
According to the 2010 census, the population has increased from the previous decennial census. The Town has 3,076 residents, compared to 2,677 residents in 2000. The largest population segment includes people in the 55 to 59-year age group. (8.8%) Children of school age make up 17.4% of the population while seniors account for 33.4% of the Town’s population. The median age of the residents of Madison is 42.1.
PERSONS PERCENTAGE 0-4 184 6.0% 5-9 164 5.3% 10-14 199 6.5% 15-19 171 5.6% 20-24 173 5.6% 25-29 159 5.2% 30-34 184 6.0% 35-39 217 7.1% 40-44 195 6.3% 45-49 198 6.4% 50-54 246 8.0% 55-59 271 8.8% 60-64_____ 223 7.2% 65-69_____ 132__ 4.3% 70-74_____ 127 4.1% 75-79_____ 85___2.8% 80-84_____ 85___2.8% 85+ 63 2.0%
According to the 2010 census data, 8.3% of families live below the national poverty level. The median household income is $ 56,349 while the per capita income is $ 24,480.
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Town of Sylvester
Location
The Town of Sylvester is located along Route 3 in the southeastern area of Boone County. It borders the Coal River and the Town of Whitesville.
The Population
According to the 2010 census, the population has decreased from the previous decennial census. The Town has 160 residents, compared to 195 residents in 2000. The largest population segments include people in the 30-34-year age group and the 60-64-year age group (both 8.8%) Children of school age make up 18.1% of the population while seniors account for 23.1% of the Town’s population. The median age of the residents of Sylvester is 42.0.
PERSONS PERCENTAGE 0-4 10 6.3% 5-9 8 5.0% 10-14 12 7.5% 15-19 9 5.6% 20-24 9 5.6% 25-29 8 5.0% 30-34 13 8.1% 35-39 6 3.8% 40-44 9 5.6% 45-49 10 6.3% 50-54 8 5.0% 55-59 8 5.0% 60-64_____13 8.1% 65-69_____ 7__ 4.4% 70-74_____ 8___5.0% 75-79_____ 9__ 5.6% 80-84_____ 9___5.6% 85+ 4 2.5%
According to the 2010 census data 26.4% of families live below the national poverty level. The median household income is $40,356 while the per capita income is $15,302.
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Town of Whitesville
Location
Town of Whitesville is located in the southeastern most area of Boone County on Route 3 near the Raleigh County line. It is bordered on the west by Sylvester and is approximately 30 miles from Madison, the county seat.
Population
According to the 2010 census, the population has decreased slightly from the previous decennial census. The town has 514 residents, a small decrease from 520 residents in 2000. The largest population segments include people in the 0 to 4 age group and the 30-34 age groups (each with 8.2% of population). Children of school age make up 15.5% of the population, while seniors account for 18.5% of the Town’s population. The median age of the residents of Whitesville is 42.5.
PERSONS PERCENTAGE 0-4 42 8.2% 5-9 31 6.1% 10-14 22 4.3% 15-19 26 5.1% 20-29 31 6.0% 30-34 42 8.2% 35-39 19 3.7% 40-44 35 6.8% 45-49 31 6.0% 50-54 39 7.6% 55-59 36 7.0% 60-64 38 7.4% 65-69 28 5.4% 70-74 22 4.3% 75-79 20 3.9% 80-84 18 3.5% 85+ 7 1.4%
According to the 2010 census data, 29.6% of families live below the national poverty level. The median household income is $ 36,500 while the per capita income is $18,837.
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CLAY COUNTY
Clay County Courthouse
Buffalo Creek Recreational Trail
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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 Clay.
UTILTIES
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.
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Gas and Other Mountaineer Gas is the major provider.
The following “Quality of Life” facts exist in Clay County:
• Low crime rate • 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 • 28-acre park near Maysel • Fishing, swimming and canoeing is available on the Elk River • J. G. Bradley Campground • Buffalo and Gauley Creek Scenic Railroad • 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, Clay County 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.
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Clay Health Care Center Accreditation
Clay Health Care Center continues to be one of the top skilled nursing facilities in West Virginia. The award- winning, long-term care center continues to receive a four-star rating from the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services’ Nursing Home Compare Program.
Clay Health Care Center has announced that it has once again received full accreditation through the Providigm QAPI Accreditation Program. The Providigm QAPI Accreditation Program is based on four standards for excellence in continuously improving the quality of care and life for residents living in skilled nursing and rehabilitation facilities. The value of the accreditation is far beyond just preparing a skilled nursing facility for the annual health inspection survey, it builds a foundation in quality assurance, performance improvement, customer satisfaction and state and federal compliance. In addition, Clay HCC was also the recipient of the 2015 Silver Quality Award from the American Health Care Association/National Centers for Assisted Living
Community Development Block Grant for Broadband Development
Clay, Calhoun and Roane counties received a $125,000 Community Development Block Grant to develop a broadband feasibility and business plan for their counties. This planning project promotes a regional approach to provide a roadmap for broadband throughout the three counties. The CCR Regional Broadband Development Committee was formed and is working tirelessly to bring high speed internet services to the region.
Clay County High School
Clay County High School was recognized in the National Rankings of Best High Schools with U.S. News and World Reports and earned a bronze medal. Schools are ranked on their performance on state-required tests and how well they prepare students for college. Clay County High School ranked 20th within West Virginia in the 2017 rankings. In addition, Clay County High School received a $2,500 grant from the Highmark Foundation. The awarded grant money will be used to purchase AED machines for the athletic facilities located at Bradley Field, the baseball park at Maysel and the little league field at Dundon.
Clay County received a $8,440 grant from the West Virginia Solid Waste Management Board for contracted services for the county cleanup.
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Top 10 Employers in Clay County
1. Clay County Board of Education 2. Clay County Development Corporation 3. Clay Trucking, Inc. 4. Clay Health Center, LLC 5. Community Care of West Virginia, LLC 6. Triad Hunter, LLC 7. Advantage Home Care, LLC 8. Clay County Commission 9. West Virginia Department of Highways 10. Pierson Lumber Company
Source: Workforce WV, March 2017
Clay County - People Quick Facts Clay County Population, 2017 estimate 8,764 Population, 2016 estimate 8,859 Population, percent change - April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2017 -6.6% Population, percent change - April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2016 -5.6% Population, 2010 9,386 High school graduate or higher, percent of persons age 25+, 2012-2016 72% Bachelor's degree or higher, percent of persons age 25+, 2012-2016 10.1% Veterans, 2012-2016 604 Mean travel time to work (minutes), workers age 16+, 2012-2016 45.3 Housing units, 2016 4,570 Owner-occupied housing rate, 2012-2016 81% Median value of owner-occupied housing units, 2012-2016 $77,700 Households, 2012-2016 3,375 Persons per household, 2012-2016 2.66 Per capita income in past 12 months (in 2016 dollars), 2012-2016 $16,980 Median household income, 2012-2016 $33,639 Persons in poverty, percent 29%
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Clay County Community Profile
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Town of Clay
Location
The Town of Clay is the only municipality in Clay County, West Virginia. It is located along Route 16 and the Elk River.
The Population
According to the 2010 census, the population has decreased from the previous decennial census. The Town has 491 residents, a decrease from the number of residents in 2000 (593). The largest population segments include people in the 35 to 39 year and 45-54 age groups (7.3% each of population). Children of school age make up 18.1% of the population while seniors account for 17.0% of the Town’s population. The median age of the residents of Clay is 38.8 in 2010.
PERSONS PERCENTAGE 0-4 31 6.3% 5-9 29 5.9% 10-14 26 5.3% 15-19 34 6.9% 20-24 34 6.9% 25-29 32 6.5% 30-34 30 6.1% 35-39 36 7.3% 40-44 29 5.9% 45-54 36 7.3% 50-54 34 6.9% 55-59 27 5.5% 60-64 30 6.1% 65-69 26 5.3% 70-74 17 3.5% 75-79 15 3.1% 80-84 17 3.5% 85+ 8 1.6%
According to the 2010 census data, 28.8% of the population lives below the national poverty level. The median household income is $21,484 while the per capita income is $17,472.
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KANAWHA COUNTY
Kanawha County Courthouse
West Virginia State University
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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 of 190,223 in 2014. 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
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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 service several times a week.
Air Service Yeager Airport in Charleston offers competitive airfares to destinations throughout the world and nonstop flights to ten 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 5 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.
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 is down to 190,000. 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.
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Major industries in Kanawha County include healthcare, government, chemicals and manufacturing. There are more than 4,977 businesses in the 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.
Charleston Civic Center Renovation and Expansion
The Charleston Civic Center renovation and expansion project is moving along. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held March 7, 2017 celebrating the completion of the initial phase of the renovation project. The new glass-enclosed lobby is now open, a new ticket-box office, entryway and covered walkway to the Civic Center has also been completed. Crews are simultaneously working on phase two, three and four of the multi-million-dollar renovation project which will include Wi-Fi upgrades, a walkway behind the Civic Center along the Elk River, a riverfront park, outdoor plaza, loading docks and a new kitchen. Another big part of the renovations is the addition on a 22,000-square-foot ballroom that will overlook the Elk River. A new lobby and large meeting rooms will also be added to the Civic Center. Clendenin Street will be condensed from four lanes to two lanes, turning the two outermost lanes into 15-minute parking spots for Civic Center and mall visitors. A crosswalk will be added for easier access to and from the mall. When renovations are finished, people in the region will be able to experience new art, new concerts and new events at the Civic Center which is predicted to have a major impact on the city’s revenue. In total, the project will cost around $106 million and is being paid for by the city’s sales tax. The project is scheduled to be completed by September 2018.
Shawnee Park Multi-Sports Complex in Dunbar
The groundbreaking ceremony for the Shawnee Park Multi-Sports Complex was held on December 28, 2017. The sports complex is a $10.2 million project and will include six turf soccer and lacrosse fields, four baseball and softball fields and a new community building. Existing park structures, including the basketball court will also be renovated. The sports complex will host local and regional youth sports tournaments. The new sports complex is hoped to help spur local economic development and increase tourism in the Kanawha Valley. The sports complex is set to be open by July 2018.
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U.S. Methanol’s Liberty One Facility located in Institute
The groundbreaking for U.S. Methanol’s Liberty One Facility located in Institute was held on September 6, 2017. The plant is expected to be in operation in the second half of 2018. When at full production, the plant is expected to produce 200,000 metric tons of methanol annually. Which will be used for the chemical industry in the Northeast United States and mid-Atlantic region. According to company officials, the Liberty One Facility will create about 50 permanent jobs in the region.
New Shopping Plaza being Planned in South Charleston
A new development project that is aimed at bringing new shops into the area is underway in South Charleston. Crews are working to clear cut and fill in the fly ash pond that is located right off the I-64 westbound exit onto MacCorkle Avenue. Once completed the City of South Charleston plans to put a shopping plaza on the property, which will be one of the city’s tax increment financing (TIF) district public improvement projects. Mayor Mullens stated that the goal is to bring businesses into South Charleston that West Virginia does not have. No stores have been announced yet, but with 82 acers of space available, Mayor Mullens stated that it opens a world of possibilities for South Charleston and beyond.
N3 Technology Firm Opens a Location at the South Charleston Tech Park
N3, an international sales and marketing firm based out of Atlanta is the newest tenant at the West Virginia Regional Technology Park located in South Charleston. N3 hopes to bring about 300 jobs to the Kanawha Valley. Jeff Laue, N3’s CEO stated that his company plans to occupy about 28,000 square feet, which can hold about 200 jobs. He estimates those jobs will be created within a year. N3 will need to expand again and get more space to create an additional 100 jobs within 18 months. N3 hopes to attract students out of the region’s colleges and universities into its workforce. About 30 percent of the jobs will require a computer science or technical four-year undergraduate degree. N3 has multiple location in the United states and across the globe.
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Yeager Airport begins Slope Repair
Yeager Airport broke ground on a $23 million project in March 2018 to repair the hillside at the airport. The project includes repairing the airport’s EMAS (Engineered Material Arresting System) and lengthening the runway to a total of 6,800 feet. Since the collapse, West Virginia’s congressional delegation has worked to secure nearly $13.5 million in federal grant funding to fix the runway which will be used for the first phase of construction. The first phase of the project includes installing new EMAS blocks on the 5-end where the slide occurred. The second phase will be to extend the 2-3 end of the runway into Coonskin Park, which is estimated to cost around $150 million. U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito stated that getting the funding for Yeager Airport was crucial, she said that she hopes the improvements will attract more businesses to West Virginia. Orders Construction Company will be completing the work and hiring dozens of West Virginia workers.
Green Mining Model Business Program
Four Mile Mountain, an abandoned surface mine near Hernshaw has been reclaimed as a lavender farm through the Green Mining Model Business Program based at the West Virginia Regional Technology Park (WVRTP). By reclaiming abandoned mine sites and other acreage throughout the region, the vision of Green Mining is to grow and harvest lavender while recreating jobs for miners and others affected by the decline of the coal industry. With the state-of-the-art facilities and the team of PhD chemists located at WVRTP, Green Mining can produce the highest-grade oils available on the market. It is hoped that by supporting existing businesses and setting a foundation for new businesses, the region will begin to flourish once again with sustainable businesses which in turn will create additional job growth in the production of nutritional supplements, fragrances, flavors and other lavender – based products to be sold to manufactures and consumers. Project Coordinator Marina Sawyer stated that the economic impact could be huge for West Virginia, she said every 100 acres of lavender plants can bring in about $1 million. The Green Mining Model Business Program started the farm with a Benedum Foundation grant of $210,000 to first test out the land to explore the feasibility of the Green Mining Model Business Program. In 2017 WVRTP received full funding for the program, $1 million from the Appalachian Reginal Commission and $500,000 from in-kind contributions from various sources.
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Kanawha County Public Library Main Branch Renovations
The main branch of the Kanawha County Public Library will be completely renovated and expanded by 20,000 square feet. The entire project is expected to cost about $27 million. About 80 percent of the funding will come from private donors. The renovations will include a three-story addition to the current rear of the building that will become the library’s new main entrance. There will be an updated 10,000 square feet children’s area with space for story time and craft rooms. There will also be public meeting spaces including study rooms, reading areas and flexible space for groups of two to 200 people. A proposed walkway across Quarrier Street would connect the library to the city’s Summer Street parking garage. Construction is scheduled to start in Fall 2018 and will take about two years to complete.
The GRID at BridgeValley Community and Technical College
BridgeValley Community and Technical College has opened the GRID (Generate, Renew, Innovate and Design) at the Montgomery Campus. The GRID is open to all and is a place where creative energy, civic spirit and resources converge to unleash innovation, seek new enterprises and invest in the region’s people and the city’s downtown. At the GRID you can transform art and ideas into new business ventures. The Grid is the result of years of planning and development to create a site that combines the element of a business accelerator with the structures and features of a maker’s space, complete with the tools and resources to develop prototypes and run small batch production. It provides the community with a place to explore talent, grow skills and pursue a business design. The GRID will also host master classes and community events. The GRID features just over 80,000 square feet of industrial space that includes six large classrooms and twenty laboratories with generous storage, unique props and ventilation for various experiments and science programs.
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Appalachian Cannabis Company Opens in Cross Lanes
The Appalachian Cannabis Company opened on August 19, 2017 and is located on Goff Mountain Road in Cross Lanes. According to owner Chris Yeager, the Appalachian Cannabis Company sells CBD (Cannabidiol) a compound of cannabis that does not contain THC and will not make you high. CBD is used to treat inflammation, chronic pain, seizures, anxiety and other medical conditions. CBD is non-addictive and provides an alternative to opiates and prescription drugs. Unlike medical marijuana, CBD does not require a prescription or doctor’s recommendation. All the products are made from industrial hemp. The store sells tinctures, gummies, capsules, vaporable products, syrups, lotions, topicals and other items.
Top 10 Employers in Kanawha County
1. Charleston Area Medical Center, Inc. 2. Kanawha County Board of Education 3. Thomas Health Systems 4. WV Department of Health and Human Resources 5. Wal-Mart Associates, Inc. 6. West Virginia Department of Highways 7. Kroger 8. Blackhawk Mining, LLC 9. United States Postal Services 10. City of Charleston
Source: Workforce WV, March 2017
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Kanawha Kanawha County - People Quick Facts County Population, 2017 estimate 183,293 Population, 2016 estimate 186,241 Population, 2010 (April 1) estimates base 193,058 Population, percent change - April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2017 -5.1% Population, percent change - April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2016 -3.5% Population, 2010 193,063 High school graduate or higher, percent of persons age 25+, 2012-2016 88.0% Bachelor's degree or higher, percent of persons age 25+, 2012-2016 25.2% Veterans, 2012-2016 14,542 Mean travel time to work (minutes), workers age 16+, 2012-2016 20.9 Households, 2012-2016 81,708 Persons per household, 2012-2016 2.28 Per capita income in past 12 months (2016 dollars), 2012-2016 $28,030 Median household income, 2012-2016 $46,528 Persons in poverty, percent 16.8%
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Kanawha County Community Profiles
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Town of Belle
Location
Town of Belle is located along the scenic Kanawha River, adjacent to the Marmet Locks and Dam, maintained by the United States Corps of Engineers. It is located in the Upper Kanawha Valley Enterprise Community.
Population
According to the 2010 census, the population increased from the previous decennial census by one to 1,260 residents. The largest population segment includes people in the 55 to 59 year of age group (7.5% of the population). School age children make up 17.3% of the population while senior citizens account for almost 18.8% of the Town’s residents. The median age of the residents of Belle is 43.1.
PERSONS PERCENTAGE 0-4 64 5.1% 5-9 70 5.6% 10-14 77 6.1% 15-19 70 5.6% 20-24 68 5.4% 25-29 74 5.9% 30-34 85 6.7% 35-44 72 5.7% 45-49 83 6.6% 50-54 92 7.3% 55-59 95 7.5% 60-64 91 7.2% 65-69 74 5.9% 70-74 55 4.4% 75-79 42 3.3% 80-84 37 2.9% 85+ 29 2.3%
According to the 2010 census data, 12.0% of families live below the national poverty level. The median household income is $ 35,395 while the per capita income is $ 24,335.
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Town of Cedar Grove
Location
Town of Cedar Grove is located on the banks of the Kanawha River on U. S Route 60. The Town is bordered by the Town of Glasgow to the west.
Population
According to the 2010 census, the population has increased from the previous decennial census of 862 residents to 997 residents. The largest population segment includes people in the 10 to 14 year of age group (78 – 7.8%). School age children make up 20.3% of the population while senior citizens account for 15.8% of the Town’s residents. The median age of residents is 39.4.
PERSONS PERCENTAGE 0-4 74 7.4% 5-9 64 6.4% 10-14 78 7.8% 15-19 61 6.1% 20-24 42 4.2% 25-29 61 6.1% 30-34 63 6.3% 35-39 65 6.5% 40-44 61 6.1% 45-49 70 7.0% 50-54 75 7.5% 55-59 70 7.0% 60-64 55 5.5% 65-69 44 4.4% 70-74 45 4.5% 75-79 21 2.1% 80-84 25 2.5% 85+ 23 2.3%
According to the 2010 census data, 19.7% of families live below the national poverty level. The median household income is $30,179 while the per capita income is $ 15,414.
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City of Charleston
Location
The City of Charleston is located along the Kanawha River with three Interstates (I-64, I-77 and I-79) for access. It is also the start of Corridor G (an Appalachian Highway) that travels south to the coalfield counties. Charleston is both the county seat of government and the State Capital. It is bounded to the west by South Charleston and Dunbar and to the east by Marmet.
The Population
According to the 2010 census, the population has decreased from the previous decennial census. The City has 51,400 residents, down from 53,200 residents in 2000. The largest population segment includes people in the 50 to 54 year (8.2%) of age group. Children of school age make up 17.0% of the population while seniors account for 16.1% of the City’s population. The median age of the residents of Charleston is 41.7 in 2010.
PERSONS PERCENTAGE 0-4 2,970 5.8% 5-9 2,912 5.7% 10-14 2,689 5.2% 15-19 3,111 6.1% 20-24 3,259 6.3% 25-29 3,354 6.5% 30-34 3,301 6.4% 35-39 3,095 6.0% 40-44 3,084 6.0% 45-49 3,583 7.0% 50-54 4,237 8.2% 55-59 4,142 8.1% 60-64 3,369 6.6% 65-69 2,307 4.5% 70-74 1,782 3.5% 75-79 1,406 2.7% 80-84 1,394 2.7% 85+ 1,405 2.7%
According to the 2010 census data, 11.67% of families live below the national poverty level. The median household income is $ 46,004 while the per capita income is $ 35,191.
Regional Intergovernmental Council – Region III 68
FY18 RDP
City of Chesapeake
Location
City of Chesapeake is located on the banks of the Kanawha River on Route 60. The City is adjacent to the City of Marmet. It is located in the Upper Kanawha Valley Enterprise Community.
Population
According to the 2010 census, the population has decreased from the previous decennial census. The City has 1,554 residents, down from 1,643 residents in 2000. The largest population segment includes people in the 55 to 59 year of age group. Children of school age make up for 20.2% of the population, while the seniors account for 17.3% of the City’s population. The median age of Chesapeake’s residents is 43.5 in 2010.
PERSONS PERCENTAGE 0-4 82 5.3% 5-9 74 7.4% 10-14 108 6.9% 15-19 91 5.9% 20-24 81 5.2% 25-29 77 5.0% 30-34 82 5.3% 35-39 114 7.3% 40-44 93 6.0% 45-49 98 6.3% 50-54 118 7.6% 55-59 140 9.0% 60-64 125 8.0% 65-69 75 4.8% 70-74 50 3.2% 75-79 52 3.3% 80-84 56 3.6% 85+ 38 2.4%
According to the 2010 census data, 12.9% of families live below the national poverty level. The median household income is $ 37,321 while the per capita income is $ 19,331.
Regional Intergovernmental Council – Region III 69
FY18 RDP
Town of Clendenin
Location
Town of Clendenin is located on the banks of the Elk River on Route 119. The Town is located in the northern most section of Kanawha and is accessible from I-79.
Population
According to the 2010 census, the population has increased from the previous decennial census. The Town has 1,227 residents, an increase from 1,116 residents in 2000. The largest population segment includes people in the 50 to 54 year of age group (8.1%). Children of school age make up 18.9% of the population, while seniors account for 18.7% of the Town’s population. The median age of the residents of Clendenin is 43.5 in 2010.
PERSONS PERCENTAGE 0-4 63 5.1% 5-9 71 5.8% 10-14 88 7.2% 15-19 72 5.9% 20-24 55 4.5% 25-29 52 4.2% 30-34 79 6.4% 35-39 73 5.9% 40-44 89 7.3% 45-49 93 7.6% 50-54 100 8.1% 55-59 80 6.4% 60-64 83 6.8% 65-69 57 4.6% 70-74 44 3.6% 75-79 45 3.7% 80-84 50 4.1% 85+ 33 2.7%
According to the 2010 census data, 16.9% of families live below the national poverty level. The median household income is $ 38,229 while the per capita income is $ 17,068.
Regional Intergovernmental Council – Region III 70
FY18 RDP
City of Dunbar
Location
City of Dunbar is located in the metropolitan district of Kanawha County. City of Dunbar is bordered on the Kanawha River. It is located across from South Charleston and borders Charleston to its east.
Population
According to the 2010 census, the population has decreased from the previous decennial census. The city has 7,907 residents, compared to 8,154 residents in 2000. The largest population segments include people in the 45 to 54-year group and the 25-29 year of age group. Each represents 7.9% of the City’s population. Children of school age make up 15.8% of the population while seniors account for 20% of the population. The median age of Dunbar residents is 43.2.
PERSONS PERCENTAGE 0-4 449 5.5% 5-9 393 4.8% 10-14 396 4.9% 15-19 497 6.1% 20-24 597 7.1% 25-29 626 7.9% 30-34 512 6.5% 35-39 448 5.7% 40-44 456 5.6% 45-49 476 6.0% 50-54 606 7.9% 55-59 617 7.8% 60-64 499 6.3% 65-69 365 4.6% 70-74 285 3.6% 75-79 318 4.0% 80-84 311 3.9% 85+ 310 3.9%
According to the 2010 census data, 13.6% of families live below the national poverty level. The median household income is $ 43,988, while the per capita income is $ 23,900.
Regional Intergovernmental Council – Region III 71
FY18 RDP
Town of East Bank
Location
The Town of East Bank is located along Route 61 in the Upper Kanawha Valley Enterprise Community. The Town is situated along the Kanawha River.
The Population
According to the 2010 census, the population has increased from the previous decennial census. The Town has 959 residents, compared to 933 residents in 2000. The largest population segments include people in the 55 to 59 and 60 to 64 year of age groups. (each 9.1% of the population). Children of school age make up 19.1% of the population while seniors account for 16.7% of the Town’s population. The median age of the residents of East Bank is 45.2.
PERSONS PERCENTAGE 0-4 41 4.3% 5-9 51 5.3% 10-14 70 7.3% 15-19 62 6.5% 20-24 48 5.0% 25-29 47 4.9% 30-34 56 5.8% 35-39 41 5.9% 40-44 51 5.3% 45-49 63 6.6% 50-54 86 9.0% 55-59 87 9.1% 60-64 87 9.1% 65-69 49 5.1% 70-74 35 3.6% 75-79 33 3.4% 80-84 18 1.9% 85+ 26 2.7%
According to the 2010 census data, 9.7% of families live below the national poverty level. The median household income is $ 45,978 while the per capita income is $ 18,916.
Regional Intergovernmental Council – Region III 72
FY18 RDP
Town of Glasgow
Location
The Town of Glasgow is located on the banks of the Kanawha River on U. S Route 60. The Town is bordered by the Town of Cedar Grove to the east.
Population
According to the 2010 census, the population has increased from the previous decennial census. The Town has 905 residents, compared to 783 residents in 2000. The largest population segment includes people in the 60 to 64 year of age group (7.5%). School age children make up 15.5% of the population while senior citizens account for 26.9% of the Town’s residents. The median age of Glasgow residents is 47.7.
PERSONS PERCENTAGE 0-4 42 4.6% 5-9 49 5.4% 10-14 47 5.2% 15-19 44 4.9% 20-24 33 3.6% 25-29 41 4.4% 30-34 58 6.4% 35-39 66 7.3% 40-44 47 5.2% 45-49 47 5.2% 50-54 54 6.0% 55-59 65 7.2% 60-64 68 7.5% 65-69 55 6.1% 70-74 51 5.6% 75-79 32 3.5% 80-84 52 5.7% 85+ 54 6.0%
According to the 2010 census data, 7.4% of families live below the national poverty level. The median household income is $ 34,896 while the per capita income is $18,946.
Regional Intergovernmental Council – Region III 73
FY18 RDP
Town of Handley
Location
The Town of Handley is located along Rt. 61 in the Upper Kanawha Valley of Kanawha County. The Town of Handley is bordered on the Kanawha River. It is located to the north by Montgomery and Pratt to the south.
Population
According to the 2010 census, the population has decreased slightly from the previous decennial census. The town has 349 residents, compared to 362 residents in 2000. The largest population segment includes the 5 to 9 year of age group (9.5%), with the 40 to 44-year age group following at 8.3% of the population. Children of school age make up 27% of the population while the seniors account for 17.7% of the town’s population. The median age is 36.3.
PERSONS PERCENTAGE 0-4 24 6.9% 5-9 33 9.5% 10-14 22 6.3% 15-19 15 4.3% 20-24 21 6.0% 25-29 27 7.7% 30-34 27 7.7% 35-39 14 6.6% 40-44 29 8.3% 45-49 17 4.9% 50-54 14 4.0% 55-59 24 6.9% 60-64 18 5.2% 65-69 16 4.6% 70-74 13 3.7% 75-79 13 3.7% 80-84 13 3.7% 85+ 7 2.0%
According to the 2010 census data, 13.8% of families live below the national poverty level. The median household income is $ 32,500 while the per capita income is $ 20,177.
Regional Intergovernmental Council – Region III 74
FY18 RDP
City of Marmet
Location
City of Marmet is located in the eastern part of Kanawha County. City of Marmet is bordered on the Kanawha River. It is located across from the Army Corp of Engineer Marmet Locks.
Population
According to the 2010 census, the population has decreased from the previous decennial census. The city has 1,503 residents, compared to 1,693 residents in 2000. The largest population segment includes people in the 50 to 54 year of age group. Children of school age make up 17.5% of the population while the senior citizens account for 23.1% of the city’s population. The median age is 46.2.
PERSONS PERCENTAGE 0-4 61 4.1% 5-9 76 5.1% 10-14 97 6.5% 15-19 89 5.9% 20-24 94 6.3% 25-29 53 3.5% 30-34 79 5.3% 35-39 75 5.0% 40-44 102 6.8% 45-49 105 7.0% 50-54 135 9.0% 55-59 111 7.4% 60-64 79 5.3% 65-69 67 4.5% 70-74 89 5.4% 75-79 69 4.6% 80-84 50 5.3% 85+ 72 4.8%
According to the 2000 census data, 9.2% of families live below the national poverty level. The median household income is $ 35,612 while the per capita income is $ 19,521.
Regional Intergovernmental Council – Region III 75
FY18 RDP
City of Nitro
Location
City of Nitro is located in western most part of Kanawha County and the eastern most area of Putnam County. It is located on the south side of the Kanawha River and is across from the City of St. Albans.
Population
According to the 2010 census, the population has increased from the previous decennial census. The City has 7,178 residents compared to 6,853 residents in 2000. The largest population segment is the 25 to 29 year of age group (7.9% of population). A close second is the 55 to 59 year of age group with 7.7% of the population. Children of school age make up 16.5% of the population while seniors account for 17.3% of the City’s population. The median age is 40.5.
PERSONS PERCENTAGE 0-4 442 6.2% 5-9 392 5.5% 10-14 385 5.4% 15-19 386 5.6% 20-24 378 5.3% 25-29 570 7.9% 30-34 508 7.1% 35-39 481 6.7% 40-44 397 5.5% 45-49 477 6.6% 50-54 495 6.9% 55-59 550 7.7% 60-64 466 6.5% 65-69 345 4.8% 70-74 293 4.1% 75-79 238 3.3% 80-84 204 2.8% 85+ 165 2.3%
According to the 2010 census data, 6.3% of families live below the national poverty level. The median household income is $ 42,102 while the per capita income is $ 22,559.
Regional Intergovernmental Council – Region III 76
FY18 RDP
Town of Pratt
Location
The Town of Pratt is located along Route 61 in the Upper Kanawha Valley Enterprise Community. It is bordered by the Town of East Bank and Handley. It is situated along the Kanawha River.
The Population
According to the 2010 census, the population has increased from the previous decennial census. The Town has 602 residents, compared to 551 residents in 2000. The largest population segment includes people in the 50 to 54 year (8.6%) of age group. Children of school age make up 17.6% of the population while seniors account for 18.6% of the Town’s population. The median age of the residents of Pratt is 41.3.
PERSONS PERCENTAGE 0-4 35 5.8% 5-9 37 6.1% 10-14 36 6.0% 15-19 33 5.5% 20-24 38 6.3% 25-29 35 5.8% 30-34 41 6.8% 35-39 44 7.3% 40-44 24 4.0% 45-49 40 6.6% 50-54 52 8.6% 55-59 35 5.8% 60-64 40 6.6% 65-69 32 5.3% 70-74 26 4.3% 75-79 24 4.0% 80-84 12 2.0% 85+ 18 3.0%
According to the 2010 census data, 12.0% of families live below the national poverty level. The median household income is $ 50,750 while the per capita income is $19,957.
Regional Intergovernmental Council – Region III 77
FY18 RDP
City of St. Albans
Location
The City of St. Albans is located in the metropolitan district of Kanawha County. The City of St. Albans is bordered on the Kanawha River. It is located across from Nitro and borders Jefferson to its east and Amandaville (unincorporated) on its west.
Population
According to the 2010 census, the population has decreased slightly from the previous decennial census. The city has 11,044 residents, compared to 11,567 residents in 2000. The largest population segment includes people in the 55 to 59 year (7.9%) of age group. Children of school age make up 15.8% of the population while seniors account for 20.7% of the city’s population. The median age of the residents of St. Albans is 45.0.
PERSONS PERCENTAGE 0-4 597 5.4% 5-9 599 5.4% 10-14 598 5.4% 15-19 550 5.0% 20-24 529 4.8% 25-29 699 6.3% 30-34 683 6.2% 35-39 635 5.7% 40-44 630 5.7% 45-49 736 6.7% 50-54 859 7.8% 55-59 872 7.9% 60-64 777 7.0% 65-69 559 5.1% 70-74 489 4.4% 75-79 483 4.4% 80-84 399 3.6% 85+ 350 3.2%
According to the 2010 census data, 3.2% of families live below the national poverty level. The median household income is $ 44,323 while the per capita income is $ 24,717.
Regional Intergovernmental Council – Region III 78
FY18 RDP
City of South Charleston
Location
The City of South Charleston is located in the metropolitan district of Kanawha County. The City of South Charleston is bordered on the Kanawha River. It is located across from Dunbar and borders Charleston to its east and Jefferson on its west.
Population
According to the 2010 census, the population has increased slightly from the previous decennial census. The city has 13,450 residents, compared to 13,390 residents in 2000. The largest population segment includes people in the 50 to 54 year (8.1%) of age group. Children of school age make up 16.6% of the population while seniors account for 17.5% of the city’s population. The median age of the residents of South Charleston is 42.3.
PERSONS PERCENTAGE 0-4 789 5.9% 5-9 813 6.0% 10-14 768 5.7% 15-19 662 4.9% 20-24 654 5.4% 25-29 912 6.8% 30-34 937 7.0% 35-39 802 6.0% 40-44 788 5.9% 45-49 926 6.9% 50-54 1,090 8.1% 55-59 1,051 7.8% 60-64 895 6.7% 65-69 602 4.5% 70-74 569 4.2% 75-79 474 3.5% 80-84 384 2.9% 85+ 326 _ 2.4%
According to the 2010 census data, 7.9% of families live below the national poverty level. The median household income is $ 43,008 while the per capita income is $ 26,311.
Regional Intergovernmental Council – Region III 79
FY18 RDP
PUTNAM COUNTY
John E. Amos Power Plant
Putnam County Courthouse
Regional Intergovernmental Council – Region III 80
FY18 RDP
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. The 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 in Nitro:
• Widening to six lanes from Crooked Creek to Nitro • Construction of a new bridge over the Kanawha River
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.
Regional Intergovernmental Council – Region III 81
FY18 RDP
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 American Water, Putnam PSD and the City of Hurricane.
Energy The City of Hurricane recently completed a solar panel project to provide power for the city’s wastewater treatment plant.
Electric American Electric Power (AEP) provides electricity.
Gas and Other Natural gas is provided by Mountaineer Gas.
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
Regional Intergovernmental Council – Region III 82
FY18 RDP
Expansion of Operations at Toyota Plant in Buffalo
Toyota Motor Manufacturing West Virginia will be making a $115.3 million investment to produce the company’s first American-made hybrid transaxles at its Buffalo facility. Production on the hybrid transaxles is scheduled to begin in 2020. The transaxles will be used in Toyota Highlander hybrids built at a Toyota plant in Princeton, Indiana. The hybrid transaxles will allow the vehicles to switch between gasoline and electric power, or a combination of both. It also enables the generation of electricity through regenerative braking. According to Leah Curry, president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing West Virginia, “Hybrid technology has been around for a while, but it is the pathway for the next generation of vehicles”. According to Curry, the project will provide job security for the plant which employees about 1,600 people and produces more than 1 million engines and transmissions annually. This project is part of Toyota’s initiative to invest $10 billion in U.S. projects, which CEO Akira Toyoda announced in early 2017.
Renovations to Valley Park in Hurricane Completed
A multimillion dollar renovation to Valley Park in Hurricane has been completed. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held on May 21, 2018 and the park officially reopened on May 26, 2018. The renovations include a new playground, a ninja warrior obstacle course and a 40-yard dash that has laser equipment to clock your speed. There are new baseball fields, an updated soccer field that will also host lacrosse games, three new tennis courts, a new community center with a full kitchen and a new kitchen for the wave pool concession area. Putnam County Parks and Recreation Director Jarrod Dean stated that in addition to hosting sporting events, dozens of people have already booked special events at the new community center.
Manila Ridge Water Project
Construction on the Manila Ridge Water Project is expected to begin by October 1, 2018. The Putnam County Commission voted in February to approve an agreement for the $1.5 million Community Block Grant that they were awarded in January. Putnam County received the grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through a Small Cities Block Grant. Fifty-four households are expected to receive water through this water project. The entire project is expected to cost nearly $1.8 million.
Regional Intergovernmental Council – Region III 83
FY18 RDP
Jersey Mike’s Subs opened a restaurant at the Liberty Square Shopping Center in Teays Valley. This is the second location for the restaurant chain to open in West Virginia. Jersey Mike’s menu includes hot and cold sub sandwiches, signature wraps, sides and desserts.
Jason and Cathy Miller opened Mountain Que BBQ at 2725 Main Street in Hurricane on Friday November 10, 2017. The new restaurant has a homey and comfortable atmosphere that seats forty-eight people. Mountain Que BBQ is known for its pulled pork, ribs, sausage and brisket.
Cesar and Jose Lopez opened Whiskey Taco in Teays Valley in January. Whiskey Taco is located at 3554 Teays Valley Road, Suite 105. Whiskey Taco aims to introduce the community to true Mexican food and has a full whiskey and tequila bar.
Top 10 Employers in Putnam County
1. Putnam County Board of Education 2. Toyota Motor Manufacturing, WV, Inc. 3. Appalachian Power Company 4. Manpower of WV, Inc. 5. Charleston Area Medical Center, Inc 6. APEX Pipeline Services, Inc. 7. Wal-Mart Associates, Inc. 8. Brand Energy Services, LLC. 9. Diamond Electric Manufacturing Corporation 10. Nitro Electric Company, Inc.
Source: Workforce WV, March 2017
Regional Intergovernmental Council – Region III 84
FY18 RDP
Putnam Putnam County - People Quick Facts County Population, 2017 estimate 56,792 Population, 2016 estimate 56,941 Population, 2010 (April 1) estimates base 55,508 Population, percent change - April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2017 2.3% Population, percent change - April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2016 2.6% Population, 2010 55,486 High school graduate or higher, percent of persons age 25+, 2012-2016 92.0% Bachelor's degree or higher, percent of persons age 25+, 2012-2016 25.0% Veterans, 2012-2016 4,334 Mean travel time to work (minutes), workers age 16+, 2012-2016 25.1 Housing units, 2016 23,981 Owner-occupied housing rate, 2012-2016 82.0% Households, 2012-2016 21,780 Persons per household, 2012-2016 2.59 Per capita income in past 12 months (2016 dollars), 2012-2016 $29,173 Median household income, 2012-2016 $56,640 Persons in poverty, percent 10.8%
Regional Intergovernmental Council – Region III 85
FY18 RDP
Putnam County Community Profiles
Regional Intergovernmental Council – Region III 86
FY18 RDP
Town of Bancroft
Location
The Town of Bancroft is located along Route 62 and the Kanawha River in Putnam County. The nearest municipalities are Poca to the east and Winfield and Eleanor to the West.
Population
According to the 2010 census, the population has increased from the previous decennial census. The Town has 587 residents compared to 367 residents in 2000. The largest population segment includes people in the 50 to 54 year (9.4%) of age group. Children of school age make up 17.3% of the population while seniors account for 15.4% of the Town’s population. The median age of the residents of Bancroft is 43.8.
PERSONS PERCENTAGE 0-4 33 5.6% 5-9 36 6.1% 10-14 39 6.6% 15-19 27 4.6% 20-24 18 4.9% 25-29 27 4.6% 30-34 28 4.8% 35-39 38 6.5% 40-44 40 6.8% 45-49 44 7.5% 50-54 55 9.4% 55-59 46 7.8% 60-64 51 8.7% 65-69 35 6.0% 70-74 25 4.3% 75-79 12 2.0% 80-84 14 2.4% 85+ 4 0.7%
According to the 2010 census data, 2.7% of families live below the national poverty level. The median household income is $ 51,012 while the per capita is $ 30,197.
Regional Intergovernmental Council – Region III 87
FY18 RDP
Town of Buffalo
Location
The Town of Buffalo is located along Route 62 and the Kanawha River in Putnam County. The nearest municipalities are Eleanor to the east and Mason County to the West.
The Population
According to the 2010 census, the population has increased from the previous decennial census. The Town has 1,236 residents, compared to 1,171 residents in 2000. The largest population segment includes people in the 45 to 49 year (8.3%) of age group. Children of school age make up 17.7% of the population while seniors account for 17.6% of the Town’s population. The median age of the residents of Buffalo is 42.8.
PERSONS PERCENTAGE 0-4 63 5.1% 5-9 75 6.1% 10-14 78 6.3% 15-19 66 5.3% 20-24 78 6.3% 25-29 57 4.6% 30-34 82 6.6% 35-39 84 6.8% 40-44 80 6.5% 45-49 102 8.3% 50-54 83 6.7% 55-59 85 6.9% 60-64 84 6.8% 65-69 76 6.1% 70-74 56 4.5% 75-79 35 2.8% 80-84 33 2.7% 85+ 15 1.5%
According to the 2010 census data, 9.5% of families live below the national poverty level. The median household income is $ 45,000 while the per capita income is $ 22,558.
Regional Intergovernmental Council – Region III 88
FY18 RDP
Town of Eleanor
Location
The Town of Eleanor is located along Route 62 in Putnam County approximately 3 miles from Winfield, the county seat. The Town is situated along the Kanawha River.
The Population
According to the 2010 census, the population has increased from the previous decennial census. The Town has 1,518 residents, compared to 1,345 residents in 2000. The largest population segments include people in the 30 to 34 year (7.1%) and 40 to 44-year age groups. Children of school age make up 17.3% of the population while seniors account for 19.40% of the Town’s population. The median age of the residents of Eleanor is 41.9.
PERSONS PERCENTAGE 0-4 99 6.5% 5-9 106 7.0% 10-14 85 5.6% 15-19 72 4.7% 20-24 65 4.3% 25-29 87 5.7% 30-34 108 7.1% 35-39 95 6.3% 40-44 108 7.1% 45-49 97 6.4% 50-54 104 6.9% 55-59 101 6.7% 60-64 98 6.5% 65-69 97 6.4% 70-74 74 4.9% 75-79 48 3.2% 80-84 44 2.9% 85+ 30 2.0%
According to the 2010 census data, 14.6% of families live below the national poverty level. The median household income is $ 37,865 while the per capita income is $ 20,920.
Regional Intergovernmental Council – Region III 89
FY18 RDP
City of Hurricane
Location
The City of Hurricane is located along Interstate 64 and is bordered on the east by Teays Valley and close to the Cabell County Line on the west. It is bordered by Route 60 to the south.
Population
According to the 2010 census, the population has increased from the previous decennial census. The City has 6,284 residents compared to 5,222 residents in 2000. The largest population segment includes people in the 5 to 9 year of age group. (7.9%) A second large grouping is those between 45 and 49 (7.4%). Senior citizens are out-numbered by children up through elementary school age. The seniors account for 10% of the City’s population. The median age for residents of Hurricane is 38.1
PERSONS PERCENTAGE 0-4 406 6.5% 5-9 498 7.9% 10-14 438 7.0% 15-19 396 6.3% 20-24 298 4.7% 25-29 375 6.0% 30-34 454 7.2% 35-39 459 7.3% 40-44 440 7.0% 45-49 465 7.4% 50-54 418 6.7% 55-59 409 6.5% 60-64 380 6.0% 65-69 261 4.2% 70-74 223 3.5% 75-79 142 2.3% 80-84 134 2.1% 85+ 88 1.4%
According to the 2010 census data, 2.3% of families live below the national poverty level. The median household income is $ 56,861 while the per capita income is $ 25,933.
Regional Intergovernmental Council – Region III 90
FY18 RDP
Town of Poca
Location
Town of Poca is located in the eastern part of Putnam County. Town of Poca is bordered by the Kanawha River. It is located across from the AEP John Amos Power Plant and is a residential neighborhood for both Putnam and Kanawha Counties.
Population
According to the 2010 census, the population has decreased from the previous decennial census. The town has 974 residents, compared to 1,013 residents in 2000. The largest population segment includes people in the 60 to 64 year of age group (8.8%). Children of school age account for 18.9% of the population, while the seniors make up 18.9% of the town’s population. The median age of Poca residents is 42.9.
PERSONS PERCENTAGE 0-4 50 5.1% 5-9 59 6.1% 10-14 63 6.5% 15-19 61 6.3% 20-24 47 4.8% 25-29 47 4.8% 30-34 56 5.7% 35-39 66 6.8% 40-44 68 7.0% 45-49 71 7.3% 50-54 51 5.2% 55-59 65 6.7% 60-64 86 8.8% 65-69 61 6.3% 70-74 42 4.3% 75-79 39 4.0% 80-84 29 3.0% 85+ 13 1.3%
According to the 2010 census data, 4.1% of families live below the national poverty level. The median household income is $ 57,212 while the per capita income is $ 29,887.
Regional Intergovernmental Council – Region III 91
FY18 RDP
City of Winfield
Location
The City of Winfield is the county seat of Putnam County and is located at the Route 34 and Route 35 split. It is bordered by the Kanawha River.
The Population
According to the 2010 census, the population has increased from the previous decennial census. The Town has 2,301 residents compared to 1,858 residents in 2000. The largest population segment includes people in the 10 to 14-year age group (9.1% of population). Falling closely behind is the 45 to 49-year age group with 8.7% of the population. Children of school age make up 21.8% of the population while seniors account for 11.2% of the Town’s population. The median age of the residents of Winfield is 40.2.
PERSONS PERCENTAGE 0-4 138 6.0% 5-9 151 6.6% 10-14 209 9.1% 15-19 141 6.1% 20-24 109 4.7% 25-29 126 5.5% 30-34 130 5.6% 35-39 140 6.1% 40-44 185 8.0% 45-49 200 8.7% 50-54 189 8.2% 55-59 179 7.8% 60-64 145 6.3% 65-69 91 4.0% 70-74 74 3.2% 75-79 35 1.5% 80-84 31 1.3% 85+ 28 1.2%
According to the 2010 census data, 4.3% of families live below the national poverty level. The median household income is $ 52,174 while the per capita income is $ 24,434.
Regional Intergovernmental Council – Region III 92
FY18 RDP
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 on 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.
This is no more apparent than the downturn in the coal industry in our region. 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.
Regional Intergovernmental Council – Region III 93
FY18 RDP
V. References
Boone County Development Authority Charleston Gazette-Mail Clay County Free Press Coal Valley News Herald-Dispatch Putnam County Development Authority STATS America TechConnectWV United States Census Bureau West Virginia Division of Culture and History West Virginia Public Broadcasting Workforce WV WV MetroNews
Regional Intergovernmental Council – Region III 94