mission : business development , recreation , farm-to-table food production and drug recovery efforts .
“ This is not a matter where we are looking to or waiting for state or local government to give us direction or provide funding ,” says Mersh . “ We are bootstrapping — taking the bull by the horns to make things happen . By focusing the community on these four areas , we hope to develop a business incubator and accelerator ; bring recreation to the county be leveraging the Little Kanawha River , our beautiful terrain and our country roads ; create a farm-to-table market strategy ; and aid in substance use recovery . I am proud of the folks of Calhoun County who have stepped up and are doing all they can to improve their circumstances . There has been a very impressive transformation that has happened here in a very short period of time .”
Capon Bridge
Located on the banks of the Cacapon River in eastern Hampshire County , the community of Capon Bridge is quintessentially West Virginian with its historic structures , intergenerational family residents and welcoming nature .
“ Capon Bridge is a tiny town with a huge heart , and I am honored to live here ,” says Timothy Reese , managing member of Green Bridge Properties .
A Southern West Virginia native who spent most of his career in commercial real estate and construction in Arlington , VA , Reese returned home to the Mountain State in 2008 and was welcomed seamlessly into the Capon Bridge community .
Reese believes the growth the small town is experiencing centers around one thing : laying the groundwork for the next generation to thrive . Historically an agricultural and trading community , Capon Bridge is now building its economy around the arts , tourism and outdoor recreation industries .
“ We are trying to accent things that are natural to the area , like fishing , hunting , biking and boating , and , as a result , the town is seeing an uptick in things like cycling and road racing ,” he says .
Photo by Visit Capon Bridge .
Photo by The 1982 Foundation .
Reese has completed six revitalization projects in Capon Bridge , including a recently restored historic home called Basswood , which was built in 1850 .
“ Basswood House is now a five-suite Airbnb property in the center of town ,” he says . “ It is the first lodging opportunity in Capon Bridge in 50 years .”
Reese also helped launch Bent River Trading Company , which he describes as Capon Bridge ’ s Tamarack , a brandnew venture that sells West Virginia-made products .
“ I see my role as scouting out new opportunities and possibilities that support young people and families ,” he says . “ I look for opportunities to redevelop old buildings and put young people in charge of them or opportunities that make the area attractive to young people and families because that is the future of our area . I want to help set the stage for young people to realize their dreams here in Capon Bridge .”
The River House , one of Reese ’ s redevelopment projects , is a nonprofit community arts and music venue that offers live performances , art classes and open workspaces as well as local pastries and an espresso bar .
He is also involved in a new initiative called the Capon Bridge Arts Collaborative , which is working to link existing arts organizations — including The River House , The Cat and The Fiddle , Bent River Trading Company and local schools and libraries — so they are not competing but , instead , mutually supporting each other .
“ Linking these together will help make little Capon Bridge an arts destination similar to Shepherdstown , Berkeley Springs and Lewisburg ,” says Reese .
Reese is confident the success seen in Capon Bridge is replicable .
“ With the right energy , focus and investments , this same model could be used in other towns ,” he says . “ Small town revitalization is the key to bringing West Virginia back . I am just happy to be a part of it here , in one of those towns .”
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