By Steve Pendleton
The Hardy County Rural Development Authority (RDA) convened on Thursday, October 31, 2024, in Moorefield. Present were President Roy Harper; Vice-president Derek Barr; members Fred Brooks, Linda Burgess, Jennifer Carr-Kimble, Darby Clayton, Tim Cullers, Greg Greenwalt, Harold Michael, Elwood Williams, Robert Williams; County Commissioners Dave Workman, Jay Fansler, and Steve Schetrom; County Commission staff County Wendy Branson, and Peggy Moomaw; Executive Director Mallie Combs, Executive Secretary Rita Smith, and staff and Peggy Thorne.
Prayer was offered prior to start the meeting.
Minutes from the meeting of September 5th were approved.
The meeting opened with prayer.
Quarterly Financial Report for General Operations
The following figures were presented for the third quarter ending in September.
Revenue
Hardy County Commission $7,500
Transfer From Rental $35,000
Transfer of Interest $0.00
LED Grant $0.00
Other (water, sewer) $11,500
Total Revenue $54,000
Expenses
Salaries/Benefits $45,089.06
Travel $2,478.25
Telephone $1,558.28
Postage $0.00
Supplies and Expenses $1,478.14
Legal $2,000
Insurance (properties) $0.00
Audit $0.00
Miscellaneous/Contingency $426.20
Total Expenditures $53,606.13
Executive Director Report
The Hardy County Health Department project is moving forward. The building is expected to be completed in December 2024 or January 2025. The RDA continues to work with the West Virginia Division of Highways (DOH) to have funds released and processed for the connector road between Corridor H and the Robert C. Byrd Industrial Park. The road was completed earlier this year. In taking another step toward a business venture on the Crites property just west of Moorefield by Route 48, the agency has requested the release of funds from United States Housing and Urban Development Authority. The RDA needs to accept the property and equipment held by the West Virginia Economic Development Authority at the American Woodmark (AWC) plant in Moorefield. The acceptance will last for 10 years during which time AWC commits to retain 650 employees and make new investments over that period of time. (Following a motion and second, the Board voted unanimously to accept the property and equipment). The AWC payroll at the local location is $21million annually and $39 for all West Virginia operations.
The Baker business park survey is complete. The right away footage required for road and utilities was addressed. A closing date with purchaser E.A. Hawse was held on October 30th. The RDA is working with the Podesta engineering firm to start the development of 2 acres in Baker known as Phase II. This will include a 10 foot easement next to the Hawse property. The Moorefield Examiner was sold to Mountain Media, LLC of Lewisburg, West Virginia on October 1st. The new editor is Stephen Smoot of Old Fields. He also recently written for the Pendleton Times, another publication owned by Mountain Media. Christopher Peacock and Jeff Kerr continue to work out details on the property shared by both businesses in Wardensville. Peacock has also made progress on the expansion of his plant. Another resident of Wardensville has had conversation with the RDA about starting a new business in that town. A loan request has been submitted. A Hardy County business has expressed interest in the Crites property as part of a plan to expand operations. On November 11th, the Burke & Herbert/Summit Bank merger will be complete. At the close of business on Friday, November 8th, Summit will transition operations to Burke & Herbert.
Old Business
A special meeting was held with the Hardy County Planning Commission. Greg Greenwalt explained that a modification was made to a zoning ordinance. The County Commission must approve the change. Commissioner Steve Schetrom elaborated that the ordinance change is needed to reflect current energy policies. It would not affect residential or commercial zones. A public hearing on the matter is scheduled for Wednesday, November 6th beginning at 1:00 p.m. in the County Commission office.
Discussion
Elwood Williams stated that traffic has significantly increased on the South Branch Railroad (SBRR) under the ownership of Omni Trax. On October 30th, 130 cars went in and out of the Pilgrim’s plant. He noted that 2024 has been a record setting year for SBRR. Former DOH employee Darby Clayton reported that work on Corridor H will begin in March or April 2025 from Wardensville to the top of North Mountain. Millie Combs added that Virginia is considering improvements on the road. Combs reported that she has reached out to Lauren Arbaugh at Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College (EWVCTC) regarding the school’s interest in buying land from the RDA. Money allotted for the purchase must be spent within a specific time frame.
Tim Cullers of Pilgrims announced that the first apartment building being constructed by the company for employees is expected to open the first of January. The three story building will have 12 apartments and a day care center on the first floor. Work is progressing on the second apartment building with 3rd floor walls being shored up. He said the Maple Avenue apartments that opened earlier this year are full. This sparked conversation about the assimilation of immigrants into the Moorefield community. Schetrom noted that EWVCTC conducted a seminar for Pilgrim’s immigrant employees on adapting to their new surroundings. Cullers said there are cultural differences that pose challenges for both residents new to America and local citizens. Other RDA members mentioned issues such as running stop signs. Pilgrims has community liaisons assigned to work with immigrants to help them adapt and become acquainted with local cultural expectations, as well as all levels of law.
Clayton recognized the businesses, individuals and the Moorefield Athletic Boosters Club for stepping up to raise the additional money needed to complete the new track at
Moorefield Middle School. The track offers recreation to community at large, training by the National Guard, and is used by the high school to host events during track season. Schetrom brought up the concern of a proposed 14 percent increase in premiums for PEIA subscribers. There are six public meetings scheduled in November to address the proposal. Pay raises given to public employees are normally absorbed by increases for insurance coverage. Schetrom noted that six public meetings were held in Hardy County to educate citizens on the levy to increase funding for ambulance services. Derek Alt of the Hardy County Emergency Ambulance Authority has said that agency can operate with the current budget for two more years. The passage of the levy would likely prevent an increase in the annual ambulance fee which has stood at $120 per household since 2013. Failure of the measure will result in a re-examination of the current ordinance which taxes small businesses at rate that is inconsistent with larger operations. Schetrom said that people do not understand the potential burden if the levy is unsuccessful. A calculator is available on the county website to determine what a person will pay if the levy passes.
New Business
None
Public Comment
None
With all business being finished, a motion and second to adjourn was unanimously passed. The next meeting of the RDA board is scheduled for Thursday, January 9, 2025 beginning at 11:00 a.m. in the USDA building at 223 N. Main St, Moorefield.
