West Virginia Executive Summer 2019 | Page 31

Morgan County is working on a diverse range of projects, including supporting small businesses like The Country Inn of Berkeley Springs, Reed’s Pharmacy, Rankin Physical Therapy and Fitness Center and the Berkeley Springs Center. The small businesses in the county drive the local economy and create jobs. Other projects the county is working on to address the challenges it faces include a $25 million, 79-room lodge upgrade to Cacapon State Park and a $55 million natural gas dis- tribution project. The county has also grown Blue Ridge Community and Technical College’s Berkeley Springs campus, which now includes expanded training and education options and certified Higher Learning Commission approval. A new mountain bike trail project underway at Morgan County’s Cacapon State Park. Tourism in Berkeley Springs continues to be Photo by Bob Peak. a driving force behind economic development in the county. Berkeley Springs State Park To encourage development, Morgan County has an active has undergone several millions of dollars in upgrades with web-based effort and is active on social media, which allows improved streets and walkways in its downtown area and the companies to select a site without traveling to the area. They North Berkeley Rail Trail, which is still under construction. have also received major grants, including a $20 million Better “We have art, culture, good food, clean water, great outdoors, Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development, or BUILD, health, wellness and fresh air all in a cool, hip atmosphere,” federal highway grant. says Cowles. “Our mix of diversity and investment with both “There are great reasons to be excited about the future in public and private funds is on target and will pay economic Morgan County and across the Mountain State,” says Cowles. dividends in the years to come.”  “I believe decision makers see Morgan County investments as having the potential for a good return on investment.” WWW.WVEXECUTIVE.COM SUMMER 2019 29