RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
The Boone County Commission's $32-million water project will pave the way for
future economic development projects as the county continues efforts to help
diversify its economy.
The recently completed water project serves over 80 percent of the
people in the county, or approximately 22,000 citizens. This unique public-private
partnership involves the Boone County Commission, the Boone County Public Service
District, the West Virginia-American Water Co., numerous state and federal agencies
and the Regional Intergovernmental Council.
Other recent developments also will help fuel the county's economy.
They include:
- Over 100 good paying jobs will result from the new Juvenile Corrections Detention Center,
which will open in the Spring of 2003 in the former Lory-Julian Elementary School along Corridor G.
- The Jim C. Hamer Appalachian Hardwoods Company has increased its Madison plant's
work force with a new 22,000 square foot building, adjacent to its small mill along
WV-17. The new plant is producing Basswood veneer exclusively for the Japanese
market, and is employing 45 workers.
- Several new businesses were created when the Boone County Business Development Center opened its doors in the summer of 2002 in Madison.
Owned by the Boone County Commission and operated and managed by the Boone County Economic and Community Development office, the new small
business incubator is designed to help foster economic growth in the county by offering new startups or expansions office space at a minimal lease rate.
Incubator tenants are able to share facilities, services, and resources, such as a copy and fax machine, conference room, and computer training room. Work force
development training and small business assistance and mentoring also is available through Southern West Virginia Community College and Technical Center,
the incubator's initial tenant. Southern's "Rapid Response" program, operated through the West Virginia Region 2 Work4WV Work force Development program for Boone
County, is housed in Suites 102, 103, and 104 of the facility. In addition to the Community College and the Boone County Economic Development Office, tenants include the
Corridor G Regional Tourism office, and the D.E.A.F (Deaf Education Advocacy Focus) program. The Boone County business incubator is the sixth business incubator facility in
WV. For leasing information, please contact the development office at 369-9118, or the Boone County Commission at 369-7301.
Boone County Business Incubator
Where Tenants Can Share Services For a Minimal Monthly Fee...
(For Leasing Information), Call (304) 369-9118
The Boone County Community Community Development Corporation, in partnership with
the Boone County Commission, received several grants to help promote tourism and
economic development in the county. A portion of these grants will be used to
develop a comprehensive program to provide information for the West Virginia
Development Office's database on the county's marketable sites; to implement a
shell building program, and to create a county web site.
The BCC&EDC also is participating in a micro-loan program which has helped establish
several new small businesses, including a day care center. A total of 18 jobs were
either created or retained through this program.
The county also is participating in the Hatfield-McCoy Trails Recreation System, a
seven-county recreation project in southern West Virginia, which is being developed
for vehicular (ATV) and non-vehicular users. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers forecasts
that 3,000 jobs will be created in the future as a result of the trails system.
Public Transportation
Public Transportation in Boone County is provided by the Tri-River Transit Authority, which serves about 50 per cent of the county. Bus routes are located on
WV 85 and WV 17 with plans to expand to take in other rural communities in the fall of 2002. Tri-River operates a 12-passenger, handicap accessible bus,
and plans to add another bus for Boone County in the very near future. The cost to ride the bus is only $1. Local funding for the service is provided by the Boone
County Commission, Boone County Community and Economic Development Office, Regional Family Resource Network, Boone Memorial Hospital, and private
sources. To obtain a copy of the bus schedule, please contact the Boone County Community and Economic Development Office at 369-9118 or 369-9127,
or toll-free, 1-877-212-0815.
Bus Service Provided Monday through Friday
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