Wyoming Co. EDA closes out an eventful Quarter 3

As we transition into the fall season, our team at the Wyoming County Economic Development Authority is reflecting on another successful summer of community growth and development. 

Several major projects are moving forward, our annual Bingo event resumed with outstanding attendance, and we’re in the planning stages of several new exciting collaborations. These are the highlights we’re celebrating from this quarter and the upcoming developments on the horizon.

WV Economic Development Council names Wyoming Co. EDA’s Laxton as president

While attending the annual West Virginia Economic Development Council conference last month at Oglebay Park in Wheeling, Christy Laxton, the Wyoming County EDA’s executive director, was elected as president of the council. 

This distinction is well-deserved, and we are continuously proud of Christy’s hard work and leadership. She is truly an advocate for our communities and business folk! 

Bingo bounces back

After a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19, we also hosted the annual community Bingo event, which benefits the Wyoming County Community Fund’s annual scholarship. This year’s event also set a new record with ticket sales, with more than 260 sold, and raised around $7,000! 

Each school year, the scholarship benefits one Wyoming County resident in their post-graduate endeavors and certifications. Funding, which is distributed over two semesters, can cover supplies, electronics, and other course-related expenses. 

Read about three previous recipients’ experiences here:

Bridget Browning: 2019 Scholarship Recipient

Kandice Bradford-Hatfield: 2016 Scholarship Recipient

Kelsey Mills: 2017 Scholarship Recipient

If you know a Wyoming County resident planning to attend the Wyoming County Career and Technical Center or the Wyoming County campus of Southern WV Community and Technical College, encourage them to keep an eye out for our scholarship application, which is released around March. 

Thanks to all who came out to support our community, the volunteers, and to the Pineville Elementary School staff who generously hosted the event! We’d also like to thank each of our sponsors who helped make this event possible, including: ABC Contracting, Advance Auto Parts, Bodyworks of Pineville, Chad Preston – State Farm Insurance, Christy’s Creative Confections, Color Street / Sherri Meadows, Charlene Cook, Clearfork Valley Golf Course, D&M Automotive, Darren Whitten – Nationwide, Doug “Mack” Prichard, Envy Salon / Amber Goad, EZ Stop Stores, Family Healthcare Associates, Farley Drilling, Flat Top Arms, First Community Bank – Pineville, Georgia’s Boutique, Goodson’s Supermarket, Hatfield McCoy Trails, Integrated Resources, Jessica Adkins Photography, Jessica Leigh Photography, Jim’s Bail Bonds, Jody Cook – Nationwide, Leshia’s Hair Care, Little Bit of Real Estate, McDonald’s, Medena Lester, MountainHeart Community Services, Oceana Discount Tobacco, Oceana Pharmacy, Oceana Dental Center, Oceana Bed & Breakfast, Ole Jose Grill & Cantina, Parts-R-Us, Pat’s Fashions & Tax Service, Photography of Many Colors, Pinnacle Drive-Inn, Pottery Place of Beckley, Rebel Smokehouse, Rhonda’s Pharmacy, River’s Expeditions/Heather Johnson, Sassy Boo’s Place, Second Street, Stephanie Lusk, Summit Community Bank – Pineville, Tim Lupardus Law Office, Tomblin Hardware, Triangle Safety, Tudor’s Biscuit World, Twin Falls Resort State Park, Twisted Gear, Uncle Tom’s Loans, WV/VA Media / Bob Spencer, Westside High School, Wyoming East High School, and Wyoming Collision, and Laura Roberts-Lambert and Brenda Reed, the staff of the Wyoming County EDA, who worked hard to coordinate this event!

Roofing project construction kicks off at Rockefeller Industrial Park

Construction on the John D. Rockefeller IV Industrial Park roofing project has officially begun. Earlier this year, the West Virginia Department of Economic Development presented the Wyoming County EDA $200,000 to assist with replacing roofs on all buildings at the park. Once completed, the renovations will attract new businesses and protect more than two dozen jobs. Contractors have six months to complete the roofs, and they’re already making significant progress.  

EDA partners with SSBCI, JIT  

This summer, the Wyoming County EDA was selected as a loan fund collaborator for the West Virginia Jobs Investment Trust’s West Virginia Capital Access Program. Applications are now open for businesses seeking venture capital funding or various business loans and programs to support their endeavors. 

The objective is to divide the loan recipient’s desired loan amount to a 50/50 investment from another institution to match the EDA or other WVJIT partner’s loan. Through this program, we hope to assist businesses who may not be eligible for other lending programs. 

Business owners and entrepreneurs from any industry across the state are welcome to apply. For more information about the application and WVJIT, visit: https://wvjit.wv.gov/wvcap/

Coalfields Expressway resources

In late August, the WV Department of Transportation hosted a public meeting to discuss the Coalfields Expressway Mullens to Pineville project with representatives from the WV Division of Highways and the Federal Highway Administration. Information and maps pertaining to the project can be found here.

What’s on the horizon

Some projects take time. Over the coming months, we’ll be sharing more extensive updates about the following projects and collaborations, including: 

• The USEDA Manufacturing Facility Award: We recently received final clearance from US Fish and Wildlife. This will be sent to USEDA along with all final documents requested to then finalize the contracts to receive a notice to proceed from USEDA.  
• Congressionally Directed Spending: This funding, which was one of the locations specifically allocated in the FY22 bill, will assist in the power expansion and bridge installation at the Barkers Creek Industrial Park. The Wyoming County EDA officially hired The Thrasher Group to handle environmental aspects of the project. We are working with AEP and other consultants to then submit to the US Housing and Urban Development Department a narrative and final budget. 
• Appalachian Regional Commission COVID-19 Loans: We currently have additional COVID-19 loan funding available for businesses that still need COVID relief. Our current COVID-19 Emergency Relief Loan Fund is only open to applicants who were actively in business when the coronavirus pandemic began. We are working with the ARC to determine if we should change the scope of eligibility to include business endeavors that were delayed or postponed due to the pandemic.

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