Boutique Hotel Anchoring Beckley Revitalization
The former Chase building located at 600 Neville Street in Beckley , WV .
The N . 600 project has many fascinating facets . It began as a dream of Candice Meade , owner of Posh Manna Cake Art & Bakery in Shady Spring , WV . When her luxury cake and dessert bakery started outgrowing her home , she started dreaming of a location for expansion . The former Chase building at 600 Neville Street in Beckley , WV , not only became her dream location — it became much more .
Meade saw it as a boutique hotel because of the space , location and need in downtown Beckley . She approached the West Virginia Hive to
share this dream and to learn about the opportunities that might be possible . Through the support of the New River Gorge Regional Development Authority ( NRGRDA ), the parent organization of the West Virginia Hive , the building was acquired .
“ We worked with Candice to determine that this building had a considerable amount of potential and Candice ’ s vision was infectious . NRGRDA is honored to partner to help make this a reality .” says Executive Director Jina Belcher .
Community support is strong for Meade ’ s innovative project . Through grants and technical assistance from the West Virginia Hive , Downtown Appalachia and Opportunity Appalachia , project plans are near completion . A support team of subject matter experts from across the U . S . is working collaboratively to produce a feasibility study , architectural renderings , capital access projections and more for the 50-plus room boutique hotel with a full-service restaurant , retail space and the bakery that started Meade on this journey . This project will be the anchor for Beckley ’ s downtown revitalization . Meade says the project will create up to 75 new jobs and be a considerable investment in downtown Beckley .
Study Shows Impact of West Virginia-Produced Metallurgical Coal
According to a new study conducted by the West Virginia University Bureau for Business & Economic Research , U . S . steel production that uses West Virginia metallurgical ( met ) coal generated approximately $ 186 billion in total economic activity in the U . S . in 2019 . Additionally , West Virginia is the leading producer of met coal nationally and supplied nearly 63 % of all the met coal distributed to U . S . coke plants .
“ This study showcases the incredible importance and the national reliance on West Virginia-produced met coal ,” says Chris Hamilton , president and CEO of the West Virginia Coal Association . “ Without the coal our miners produce right here in West Virginia , our country would be forced to import
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