By Stephen Smoot
In recent years, dilapidated structures have grown into an epidemic problem for many West Virginia communities. In many cases, properties with structures go into tax sales where individuals or consortiums, often out of state, buy them for pennies on the dollar of their real value. Until recent changes in the law, many Potomac Highlands local communities struggled to bring the problem under control.
The Region 8 Planning and Development Council heard a presentation on state efforts to help communities get out from under the burden of dangerous eyesore properties.
First, however, the council heard the report of the committee tasked with nominating officers for 2023-24. Bev Keadle, mayor of Romney and member, read the report of the committee, which met June 12. She shared that they recommended Roger Leatherman, Mineral County Commissioner, as chair, Bob Hott, Hampshire County Commissioner, as first vice chair, Diane Baker, mayor of Carpendale (Mineral County) as second vice chair, Scotty Miley, Grant County Commissioner, as treasurer, and Carl Hevener, Pendleton County Commissioner, as secretary.
Terry Lively, executive director, announced that the Region 8 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (or CEDS) has “been out for review. We’ve done a couple of public meetings. Each regional council bears the responsibility to prepare or update a CEDS for submission to the Governor. Council members, the Appalachian Regional Commission, the Economic Development Administration, and the West Virginia Development Office all receive a copy.
The general public also may access the document.
No opposition manifested at the very lightly attended public meetings in Keyser and Petersburg, so Lively recommended passage of Region 8’s CEDS. Lively explained that “it will give us a guide on how to develop and point our resources to assist member governments.”
Next, John King from the office of environmental advocacy in the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection discussed the state’s dilapidated properties program.
King was joined by Sandy Rogers, director of the Rehabilitation Environmental Action Plan program, and administrative assistant Nancy Hunt. He described the program as “very much a team effort.”
When the program opened, King stated that “we didn’t have any funding.” At that point, they developed a questionnaire to send to both county and municipal governments. Then the state shifted $10 million in ARPA funds to jumpstart the program during its first pilot phase.
During the first phase, the program found widespread appeal. King said, “We currently are working with 26 communities across the state, counties and municipalities.”
King explained that the state allows communities to tailor their own plans. He shared that “we want to put the gas in the tank, not drive the bus.”
Lively interjected to ask if the program provided assistance to smaller communities with very limited resources. King explained that the West Virginia University Law Clinic and Marshall University teamed up to help communities initiate the process. For example, they can advise a community on creating a memorandum of understanding with other governments or entities.
The program mostly pays invoices as communities go through the process of demolishing structures. Participants, however, can opt for reimbursement as opposed to direct payment.
As the state prepares for the second phase of the pilot, they have received 155 responses. The total list so far tallies to $155 million worth of properties, prompting King to say, “It’s a marathon, not a sprint.”
Samuel Canfield, who represents another office in WVDEP, offered to build cooperation between the dilapidated structures and other programs, such as stormwater management.
Lively then discussed state broadband programs seeking to connect the most vulnerable populations to the internet and its educational and employment opportunities. He said, “People that may be in lower income brackets may need the help the most so their kids don’t get left behind.”
Low income earners may qualify for up to $30. Others could receive up to $100 in assistance toward buying a laptop.
Lively also reported that Mineral County based Criterion qualified for an $80,000 loan. He explained that the same company had taken loans in the past, successfully developed more business, then paid them back on time and in full.
