Doddridge County
Economic Development Authority
Minutes from Thursday, January 26, 2023, at 6:00 PM
Meeting Called to Order and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited led by Lowell Be, President
Attendees: Lowell Bee, Dave King, Ronnie Travis, Lowell McAfee, Greg Cottrill, Cindy Welch, Jeff Gola, Jennifer Wilt
Introduction of Guests: None
Minutes: Minutes from the September 2022 meeting were presented. Ronnie Travis made a motion to accept the minutes as presented. Jeff Gola seconded. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report: Report was presented by Greg Cottrill. Lowell McAfee made a motion to accept as presented. Dave King seconded. Motion carried.
General Account – $ 75,461.92
Broadband Account – $ 1,066,290.38
Committee Reports: none
Director’s Report
PSD
● Blandville Extension: Water has been turned on
• Oxford I: Project is in jeopardy of not happening because
there is not enough community interest. Without this crucial extension, all future water projects in the western section of the county will not happen. PSD had a meeting with the new USDA representative at the Ripley office (Alan Harris) and he expressed his concerns about timeline and sign-ups. We will be meeting again on February 16th to further discuss these issues.
● Rt. 23/Tarkiln – Still working on sign-ups, easements and land acquisitions. Held a community meeting on Monday, September 26th.
Broadband
● The fiber hut in West Union is in service, as well as the fiber on the rail-trail. It is up to Citynet to decide when to turn customers on along the trail.
● There was a hold-up with all fiber projects statewide because First Energy drastically increased its pole rental fee. In response, several providers filed complaints with the Public Service Commission. A new rental fee is now being discussed. The PSC’s ruling just came out in December, so hopefully they can come up with a resolution soon.
EDA
● The next Regional EDA meeting will be February 7th in Lewis County at Stonewall Resort.
● Attended the West Virginia Governor’s Energy Summit at Stonewall Resort on October 25-26.
● The old high school is scheduled to be demolished in February.
● Attended the WVEDC Legislative Conference at Embassy Suites in Charleston on January 22-25.
● Attended a Regional EDA meeting December 13, 2022 at Morgantown Area Partners.
● Attended Region VI Christmas Dinner and quarterly meeting at Murial’s on December 8, 2022.
● Working on an inventory of all possible pieces of property for business development. We will revisit property we’ve discussed in the past and reach out to landowners and developers.
● A hotel developer reached out to the EDA office in January looking for a development site. Possible sites were discussed, as were site strengths and weaknesses.
New Business: FY 2023 LED Grant has been awarded to the DCEDA in the amount of $22,727.00. Lowell McAfee made a motion to allow the EDA Director to enter into a contract with the WV Department of Economic Development. Ronnie Travis seconded. Motion carried.
Cindy Welch updated the EDA board on the creation of the BAD buildings program in West Union and a business development group (Rev Up West Union) initiated by a group of stakeholders, investors and contractors. This group is focused on revitalizing and promoting the West Union business district.
Discussion was held to prioritize the top two development sites in the county. Greg Cottrill made a motion to present a proposal to the County Commission of site selections. Dave King seconded. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 7:15 pm.