Another new resort is under construction in Boone County near Peytona, the Indian Creek Resort, and a third project to be located behind the Fountain Place Mall in Logan, White Mountain Lodging, is finalizing its preconstruction environmental approval for an Abandoned Mine Lands Economic Revitalization grant for water and sewer. Meanwhile, Logan Coal and Timber Company is working on its second resort, the Cinderella Adventure Resort, to complement its Devil’ s Backbone Adventure Resort.
“ For the first time in Hatfield-McCoy Trails’ history, we have three major lodging destinations under construction and one nearing construction. Each of these projects either has equipment on the ground doing earth work, cabins under construction or is getting ready to put out ads for construction contracts,” says Jeffrey Lusk, president of McDonald Land Company.
Keefer’ s Powersports is working to better meet market demand by hosting all necessary manufacturers so customers don’ t have to go to another facility for the right parts.
Photo by Keefer’ s Powersports.
“ One of the things we bring to the table is having these different brands under one roof at one location so we’ re able to take care of the customers’ wants and needs,” says Eddie Keefer, president and owner of Keefer’ s Powersports.
Waters and Randall Sanger, Tug Valley Chamber of Commerce director, are working with Accelerate Williamson as part of the Community and Business Resilience Initiative Accelerate West Virginia program.
“ It’ s wonderful to see others recognize the potential in our area and share the table with other community leaders as we work toward common goals for our communities,” Waters says.
Currently, the Wyoming County Economic Development Authority is facilitating a new carbon manufacturing facility at the Barkers Creek Industrial Park and will soon go out to bid for a Department of Defense company at the Rockefeller Industrial Park, two $ 5 million projects bringing approximately 80 jobs to the county.
The Mingo County Redevelopment Authority is also advancing infrastructure at the Mingo County Air Transportation Park, including the completion of site utilities to position the property for future industrial development.
“ We are also positioning the Air Transportation Park to attract aviation-related industry and emerging technologies,” Curry adds.“ This creates opportunities for workforce development, supports emergency services and aligns with the growing role of advanced air mobility and unmanned systems in rural markets.”
The authority is supporting regional energy investment through the MN8 Energy and Battery Energy Storage System project located in Mingo and Logan counties. It is expected to generate significant economic activity, including over 1,000 jobs during development and long-term operational benefits, and to be constructed on a partially reclaimed surface mine.
Barnette, along with her husband, is starting US Gearworks, one of 20 facilities in the world with its capabilities. It will house top-of-the-line equipment and hire 70 employees with an average salary of $ 65,000.
“ We have people here who are willing to do what it takes to better themselves,” Barnette says.“ I feel confident this is going to be a catalyst for other people to say,‘ What’ s going on in Logan? Let’ s go figure this out.’”
Education
R. Stacy Dingess, chief external affairs officer for Southern West Virginia Community & Technical College, says the school is expanding its workforce development opportunities through strategic grant writing and exploring new training programs.
Southern partners with local hospitals and other industries to enhance educational opportunities.
“ We are proud to highlight partnerships with the American Electric Power Foundation, Logan Regional Medical Center, BMH, the McGee Foundation and Hatfield-McCoy Trails,” Dingess says.“ These collaborations play an important role in strengthening educational access, health care training and regional development.”
Dingess says Southern is currently working on the development of a hospitality and tourism program to support and complement regional assets. The Southern Foundation continues to advocate for increased scholarship funding through donor relations and fundraising campaigns.
At the K-12 level, Logan County Schools Superintendent Sonya White says the organization is working to improve communication with parents, community members and businesses. White also says several cohorts of elementary school teachers are participating in the Lexia LETERS— language essentials for teachers of reading and spelling— courses.
“ These courses allow teachers to enhance their skills in teaching reading to all students, especially those who may be struggling with learning to read,” she says.“ Logan County Schools was referenced in a national study last year showing significant improvement in reading achievement for third grade students after the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The Ralph R. Willis Career Technical Education( CTE) Center offers several programs that prepare high school students for the employment market and higher education.
“ Many students obtain employment with our business partners working with the CTE center,” White says.“ Logan Regional Medical Center, Thornhill Automotive and local law enforcement agencies are just a few of the local businesses employing the CTE center’ s graduates.”
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