West Virginia Executive Spring/Summer 2020 | Page 20

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SAMANTHA CART
LINDA SKIDMORE/DAVIS & ELKINS COLLEGE
CELEBRATE
Corridor H
A highway project that has been conceptualized
since the late 1960s, the continued
construction of Corridor H has generated
a domino effect of positive changes in the
counties it touches, increasing economic
development and tourism opportunities
for the many small towns along its route.
For the 2020 issue of Discover West
Virginia magazine, the staff partnered
with companies and organizations from
Lewis, Randolph and Upshur counties
to help celebrate everything the up-andcoming
area has to offer. On March 12,
business leaders from the three counties
came together as a united region to eat,
drink and network while also appreciating
the history, beauty and possibilities the
area holds. The charming Graceland Inn
and Conference Center, historic summer
home of Senator Henry Gassaway Davis,
provided the perfect backdrop for the
reception and brought these professionals
together to celebrate and discuss the successes
of Corridor H and the progress they
hope to see in the future. •
“The reception was such a wonderful evening
celebrating Corridor H and what it means to
the region. Hosting the event at the Graceland
Inn on the campus of Davis & Elkins College
was such a fitting location as we paused to
consider how our past informs and shapes our
lives today and will shape our future. It also
provided a clear indication of the seamless
town-and-gown partnership we cherish and
nurture throughout the region, across the
state and beyond.”
– Rosemary Thomas
Vice President for Enrollment Management
and Institutional Advancement
Davis & Elkins College
“As a member of the Corridor H Authority representing
Lewis County, I especially enjoyed the
reception at the Graceland Inn in Elkins because
it gave me a chance to network with interested
local business owners and the president and
educators from Davis & Elkins College. It has
been fun to be involved in the Corridor H project
and watch it progress. Everyone at the event
agreed that existing businesses in Lewis, Upshur
and Randolph counties will greatly benefit from
the increased commerce in our area when this
important highway is completed. It will bring new
businesses, hospitals and medical centers and
increase the attendance at our educational
institutions. My favorite part of the West Virginia
Executive event was sharing stories with others
who have traveled the state of West Virginia
and experienced the true beauty traveling that
section of Corridor H provides.”
– John Cobb
Member
Corridor H Authority
“The Celebrate Corridor H reception at Graceland
Inn was beautiful. Along with getting a tour of
the historic mansion, I appreciated having time
set aside just to network and chat with people
in my area. It seems like we email and talk on
the phone for various projects a lot, but connecting
face to face is much more rewarding.”
– Laura Meadows
Executive Director
Upshur County Convention & Visitors Bureau
SPONSORED BY
18
WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE