By Stephen Smoot
During the past two years, Pendleton County’s economic development and marketing efforts have moved in bold directions and brought significant results.
First, the county developed its own free-standing convention and visitors bureau under the direction of executive director Amber Nesselrodt. It has taken the lead in promoting the attractions, goods, and services that bring ever increasing numbers of visitors to the region.
In May of this year came the announcement that Pendleton and Grant counties would create a new economic development authority that would serve both areas. The new authority, with the blessing of the West Virginia Economic Development Office, created a new agency to supersede the missions of the old separate county organizations that still remain in existence.
Creating the authority represented a major hurdle in itself. Regional development authorities in areas such as the New River region had already proved their utility. As Laura Brown, executive director, explained, “The biggest benefit of our regional development authority is the strengthening of our numbers.”
The counties combined efforts for a number of reasons. As Brown explained, “Similarities between Grant and Pendleton counties are easy: we’re rich in agriculture, small businesses, and natural tourism assets.” She added that the lifestyles and people of both counties are also similar.
Dayne Davis, who serves on the new regional development authority board, shared that “economic development is all about sourcing grants and getting access to capital to help support our existing business community, but also help us get out and develop new opportunities. Ultimately what happens in Grant County impacts Pendleton and vice versa.” The two counties’ combined strength will make the regional authority a more attractive grant recipient.
By July, the organization had received its official name, the Seneca Rocks Regional Development Authority. As Davis stated, “There is no more recognizable location in West Virginia than Seneca Rocks. It speaks to our scenic beauty and endless outdoor recreation opportunities in both counties.”
Through fall, the SRRDA worked on two tracks. Externally, it worked to attract grant funding while also prioritizing major projects in both counties. The authority also worked with lawyers, the two county commissions, and state officials to get the new authority on a solid and strong foundation. The first meeting was held in September and monthly since.
One of the first wins for SRRDA came in late summer as Pendleton County learned that it would receive a BUILD WV designation. The full name of the program is “Better United In Long-Term Development West Virginia,” and it provides assistance to selected communities seeking to expand housing options.
Benefits to these communities and those working to construct housing in them include “a sales tax exemption on building materials, a 10-year property value adjustment refundable tax credit, and a potential municipal business and occupation exemption.”
Additionally, projects that qualify for the program must come from either an investment of $3 million or more, or include at least six houses or residential units. Other requirements for participation include creating both significant and positive economic impact, improve the chance for the region to attract new business, and provide added opportunities for employment.
In late October, Ryan Thorne from the USDA Regional Development Office came to Franklin to celebrate two major grants to benefit Pendleton County. A $99,000 award went toward the SRRDA’s purchase of the old Pendleton County Board of Education office on Walnut Street.
Plans are in place to transform the building into an innovation hub that will host small businesses and other entrepreneurial activities, provide remote work space, and hold classes.
The other grant went to Experience Learning’s Sweetwater Farms trail project.
As SRRDA winds down its activities in 2023, it continues to keep an eye on priorities going forward. In Pendleton County, this includes working with Fisher Mountain to develop its attractions and housing. Efforts in Grant County include working on the industrial park and developing properties in an effort to further the revitalization of Petersburg.
