By Stephen Smoot
The Region 8 Planning and Development Council met earlier this month to go over results of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy community meetings. It also discussed the imminent addition of an environment specialist and approved a new slate of officers.
In late March and early April, Region 8 held meetings in Moorefield and Keyser. Community members and council staff met to brainstorm about issues affecting the Potomac Highlands region. Region 8 includes Pendleton, Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, and Mineral counties
Issue categories were divided into strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.
Ralph Goolsby, who ran the meetings in both locations, produced a summary of results for the council. He first reported that, between the two meetings, approximately 100 participated.
Strengths listed include progress on Corridor H, scenic beauty, strength and resilience of people, natural resources, and the importance of history and heritage. Community participants proposed that lack of correct statistical data, lack of funding for local projects, and uneven development of broadband internet service represented regional weaknesses.
Opportunities for the region mirror some of the issues listed in strengths and weaknesses. They include finishing Corridor H, development of the North/South U.S. Route 220 corridor, expansion of broadband availability, and encouraging young people to acquire trade skills.
The threat list highlighted first the impact of unnecessary federal regulation, the rise of both the cost of living and crime rates in some areas, the affordability of broadband internet and the lack of economic diversity.
A council member inquired about the impact of higher numbers of illegal aliens potentially entering the region as a threat. Goolsby explained that, though not specifically mentioned, some of the issues listed do address that problem.
He also stated that the draft of the CEDS report went to libraries and other community magnets. They also held two meetings for the public to address it. With the process completed, he submitted the report for the council’s approval, which it did.
The council also discussed the possible impending addition of an environment position, similar to the environmental program coordinator position on the staff of Region 9, which covers Morgan, Berkeley, and Jefferson counties.
Melissa Earle, executive director of Region 8, said, “If we are awarded this, we will have this for three years.” The environmental project coordinator helps local governments to write grants to obtain funding for projects that in some way help to protect the environment.
“It’s exciting working with you all to get this started,” said Samuel Canfield, representing the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection. He explained that the position covers some of the work that he does in promoting projects to local governments, but that he cannot assist with grant writing.
Canfield said that the position will bring in a person who can be “more hands on” that his role allows. He also said that Region 8 adding this position could encourage regional higher education to add an environmental jobs education program, such as one established at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College in Martinsburg.
In the past, Region 9’s environmental project coordinator has also assisted Region 8 and its communities with programs and funding acquisition, due to the fact that any water borne pollution from the Region 8 area would naturally flow through Region 9 in many cases.
Canfield also spoke briefly about pitching Tree City USA participation to the Town of Franklin at their council meeting.
The council also approved its new slate of officers for the year. Roger Leatherman, Mineral County Commissioner, will continue as chair. Bob Hott, from the Hampshire County Commission will serve as one vice president and Diane Baker, Mayor of Carpendale (Mineral County) as the second. Scott Miley, Grant County Commissioner, was selected as treasurer and Carl Hevener, Pendleton County Commission president, as secretary.
