West Virginia Executive Spring 2025 | Page 26

“ In 2022, legislation passed that allowed for two specific high-impact, industrial business development districts in West Virginia, one of which is a BHE Renewables, LLC site,” Harshbarger says.“ There is ongoing discussion in the Legislature and Governor’ s Office on whether to expand microgrid policies to attract more data centers.”
Amy Wilson, executive director of the Harrison Economic Development Corporation( HEDC), says the organization is in the process of adding a 50,000-square-foot building to the Harrison Regional Industrial Park.
The HEDC received a $ 2.6 million grant from the U. S. Economic Development Authority for this building, which is being designed for manufacturing use. The HEDC is the owner and developer of the approximately 20-acre industrial park, located in Bridgeport.
Currently, Harvest Care Medical, a medical cannabis growing and manufacturing facility, is located within the park. Wilson says there are two additional pads marketable for development.
“ We are extremely fortunate to be located in one of the fastest and most stable growth areas of the state,” Wilson says.“ With our housing growth, quality of life, work force, educational opportunities and state-of-the-art health care options, this brands us as a marketable location for industry expansion and relocation.”
Investing in Communities
Amy Baker, vice president of corporate communications and marketing for MVB Bank, recognizes the importance of partnerships when contributing to the quality of life in a community.
“ MVB has an ongoing partnership with the Kelly Miller Community Center located in the Monticello neighborhood, a historically African American neighborhood, in Clarksburg,” Baker says.“ MVB has provided well-attended information sessions with MVB Mortgage on the first-time homebuying process as well as sponsored and actively participated in the FHLBank Pittsburgh Blueprint Communities team for Monticello. The community center has a food pantry on-site, hosts clothing closet giveaways and provides programming for kids and adults.”
Baker says MVB Bank is also working with other residents in the Monticello neighborhood on ways to continue revitalization efforts in the community.
Another way Harrison County is investing in its communities is through its trail network.
“ A well-connected trail network is the lifeblood of a vibrant community,” says Andrea Kerr, director of public information and economic development for the City of Bridgeport.“ In Bridgeport, we pride ourselves on our trail system. Once spring hits, our trails are a chosen way for our residents to connect with the outdoors. Whether walking or biking, the trail system is a favorite amenity citywide.”
One of the projects currently being worked on is the Parkersburg to Pittsburgh Rail Trail( P2P). According to the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, the 238-mile P2P is nearly 80 % complete, but a few short gaps exist in West Virginia that are keeping a continuous stretch of the rail trail— spanning more than 150 miles— from running between Parkersburg and the state’ s border with Pennsylvania.
Tourism
Aimeé Comer, BS, MSM, executive director of the Clarksburg Visitors Bureau, says one of the most exciting things happening in Harrison County is the opening of MK Airsoft Clarksburg. This is the second-largest airsoft field in the U. S.
“ This company is based out of Ohio and decided to put its second location on Armory Road in Clarksburg, WV,” Comer says.“ This is a great opportunity for the city, and we are looking forward to this being the first of many companies finding their place in Clarksburg.”
Droo Callahan, general manager of The Bridge Sports Complex, says it currently brings more than 1.1 million people into the city to participate in health, wellness, community events and sports. He also says estimates from Johnson Consulting suggest that the complex generates $ 12.8 billion in direct spending for the region.
Looking ahead, The Bridge is preparing for a major expansion.
“ We are currently working on a more than $ 5.3 million project that will allow for versatility, bringing as many different sports to our complex as possible,” Callahan says.“ We hope to start this project mid-2025.”
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WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE