Clay County's Lead Economic Development agency, the BDA, held their monthly meeting Jan 13 2020. The place was packed with every chair full. One of those chairs was filled with newbee Boardster Gage Bass, pic below. Returning visitor Ronnie Summers was also on hand. He told the Board, "He just wanted to see what was going on."

   How about some highlights from the public meeting held in the old State Road garage in Two Run.
   The BDA now has a little over $3000 in their general revenue account.
   The Chair reminded all that the long in the coming FEMA grant was finally approved for $2.7million. DeBoard brought everybody up to speed with: more $$$ are coming from state funds for the entire Buffalo Creek rail replacement project. The Chair said the rehab and upgrade project will be divided into four segments.
  Part one will be replacing every fourth tie, replacing culverts, and repairing any damaged rails along the route. The idea is to upgrade the flood damaged line so large equipment can use em during the other stages of the rehab project. When all bridges are repaired , the tracks will have the capacity to hold heavier tourist rides like a Rail Bus.
  The way FEMA works, the bills have to be paid up front by the BDA and then reimbursements come from the FEMA grant. Chair DeBoard says, he has secured a loan from the Governor's office to cover the upfront invoices. When FEMA actually pays, reimburses the BDA, the Gov's funds will be paid back. The BDA is advertising for the Phase One engineering work this week.
  We mentioned a couple weeks ago, existing rails near the Dundon Trestle need to be kept in place to serve as a turn around triangle for a some day to come, rail bus. We suggested securing one of the old Rail Cars that once ran the BC&G RR line. DeBoard must have read out article but said the triangle thang could be built latter on. He also showed some kind of modern, painted bright yellow, "Salamander" rail bus. He felt, at some point, they could get the State to purchase the vehicle. He added, with such an enclosed vehicle, rides could be served year round.
  Actually, the historic RailCar A and RailCar B provided the same enclosures with heat in the Winter months. As for getting one of those old units, DeBoard said that wasn't possible.

   17 minutes into the meeting, discussion turned to being a part of the already organized, ERTS State Park Foundation. Such Foundation groups are volunteer run and are in place for most all the State Parks in West Virginia. For the ERTS, a group has formed down in Clendenin. That group has invited Clayberry to be a part of that 501 C organization.
   County Clay can have five reps on that committee. Reps will be Michael Shamblin, Mitch DeBoard, Josh Shamblin, for sure. There was reluctance to include Connie Lupardus to the group since she is NOT a County Clay resident. Others on the BDa shared that same sentiment. As for the exact date, time, and location of the Foundation meeting, no one had an answer. So much for public participation!
 

   Update on the ERTS hiking trail.  The bridge work on the Dundon Trestle, it's done. That first section of hiking biking horseback riding trail, that should be completed and open this June 1st. That section will run between Duck and Hartland.
  Not in attendance, Dwayne Legg wants to start a BC&G RR Celebration next Fall. Around the conference table, everyone appeared to support the notion  for a new festival. The thumbs up was given for Mr Legg to start organizing the tourist draw event.
  This year, credit cards will be excepted when paying for rail car rides.
  During the 2019 season, around $12,000 in merchandise was sold.
  As for advertising the rail ride, the BDA will do a promo on the BillBoard out Wallback way. As for using newspaper or magazine ads, nope! State funders only want to use social media like the Russia Meddling Site, Facebook.
  According to BDA Secretary Deborah Salisgiver, it takes about $15,000 a year to keep everything up, running, insured, and maintained. Several fundraisers are needed in 2020 to stay alive. According to choo choo ride person, Dustin Fitzwater, it takes a bunch of volunteers to make things happen and those volunteers are in very short supply. Fundraiser suggestions included yard sales and consignment auctions.

   Boardster Josh Shamblin (pic above) brought everyone up to speed on a  new cafe business set to open in Feb 2020. In addition to being a BDA Boardster, he also volunteers with the Deliciously Vivid group which promotes tourism among other things. Shamblin's day job is Director of Clay County Services Unlimited, a workshop and training center for people with disabilities.
  Here's the scoop, that non-profit plans to operate a new , fancy coffee, cafe offering quality sandwiches and sit down dining. The operation will be housed in the CSCS (old CDC) building on Main Street just across from the Rite Aid store. In addition to upscale eating, they plan to offer events there including Karaoke. Vanessa Dunigan will be the Cafe Manager.

  Here's a side bar that was raised during the BDA gathering.  To raise $$$, a couple months ago, the Deliciously Vivid group organized and held a Gun Show. Originally, that Gun Show was suppose to have been held in the BDA building in Two Run. With DV thinking they had the OK  to have the fundraiser there, something went to crap real quick.  As the date was  nearing, the BDA told em, nope you don't have permission. With time working against em, DV moved the show to the Big Otter Fire Dept.
  During this Jan 13th meeting, Josh Shamblin told the BDA, he had no hard feelings about the mess up and it was time to pull together and make things happen. Josh, "We got off on the wrong foot......  Things got ackward."
  Boardster Mike Shamblin suggested that future Gun Shows could be held at the BDA building which is more centrally located in County Clay. Josh  replied, Yelp, that might happen in the future.
  As a note and to stir the pot a little. the DV Gun Show held at the Big Otter Fire Dept was a huge success. When DV was told, no you can't have a gun show, DV replied, watch this!  The Big Otter location was the replacement spot and is better suited to drawing out of county crowds and $$$ since it's right beside I-79. That one day fundraiser netted thousands for the DV group and drew many gun dealers from around the state. Another plus for the event, BOFD handled concessions  and they too made $$$. Their pies were to die for!
   Now back to the Jan 13th meeting. While trying to organize a Feb fundraiser, the BDA Chair suggested they form a new committee and get something going this month. During the discussion and proposed vote to make it happen, BDA Boardster (and County Commissioner) Greg Fitzwater warned the group, such a vote is not called for on the agenda and therefore, unlawful. At first, gripes were heard. Reason came to the surface and no votes were cast. It's good to have an experienced Boardster on deck.
   It was  a good meeting with progress made. Not big steps but still, moving forward. That's a nice direction for the first meeting on the new decade.
  BDA meetings are held on the second Monday of each month beginning at 6:30pm in the old State Road garage in Two Run. Note: meeting times were changed to 6:30pm to accommodate the work schedule of Roger Hanshaw a couple years ago. Hanshaw has been a no show for BDA meetings about 99% of the time but the start time has remained, 6:30pm

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