BDA Meets
July 10 2023
Let's take
a few minutes to talk about the good, bad, and down right
rotten to the core stuff going on in Clayberry as visited by
the Clay County Business Development Authority. The volunteer
agency held their July public meeting on the 10th in the old
State Road garage building in Two Run.
Before all that.....
28 years ago the BDA was formed by the County Commission. Before that group there was a previous economic development group made up of county blue bloods in the late 1970's. That group had a purpose and motto. Basically, it was "what's in it for me". Other than meeting every once in a while, little was accomplished and it disbanded without fanfare.
After some down time, the sitting CCC tried again with the current BDA nearly 3 decades ago. Norman D.Wilson was the first BDA Chair. The no nonsense guy made it an iron clad rule, if we can't get a meeting done in 60 minutes, we're still going home. He held hard and fast to that rule and it worked. The BS was cut out in short order and business got done.
Way back then, the BDA came up with two projects to grow $$$ in the Land of Little. Project 1, headed by Anne Anderson, was to grow a tourism train ride. Project 2 was the building of river access points for fisherman. Mr Wilson headed that second project.
After insurance men and lawyers got done shredding the steam engine ride idea, there was little left and it died. The BDA did dig and put up signage for four river access points. Two of those early points are still in place and being used.
Even 28 years ago, the thinkers in Clayberry knew, tourism was the only avenue forward.
Fast forwarding to today, with the BDA at the helm, County Clay has never been closer to having a real prospect of a new economy, a tourism based economy.
Before all that.....
28 years ago the BDA was formed by the County Commission. Before that group there was a previous economic development group made up of county blue bloods in the late 1970's. That group had a purpose and motto. Basically, it was "what's in it for me". Other than meeting every once in a while, little was accomplished and it disbanded without fanfare.
After some down time, the sitting CCC tried again with the current BDA nearly 3 decades ago. Norman D.Wilson was the first BDA Chair. The no nonsense guy made it an iron clad rule, if we can't get a meeting done in 60 minutes, we're still going home. He held hard and fast to that rule and it worked. The BS was cut out in short order and business got done.
Way back then, the BDA came up with two projects to grow $$$ in the Land of Little. Project 1, headed by Anne Anderson, was to grow a tourism train ride. Project 2 was the building of river access points for fisherman. Mr Wilson headed that second project.
After insurance men and lawyers got done shredding the steam engine ride idea, there was little left and it died. The BDA did dig and put up signage for four river access points. Two of those early points are still in place and being used.
Even 28 years ago, the thinkers in Clayberry knew, tourism was the only avenue forward.
Fast forwarding to today, with the BDA at the helm, County Clay has never been closer to having a real prospect of a new economy, a tourism based economy.
Mitch DeBoard Deborah Salisgiver
Now for
the June 10th offering. From the beginning of time thru today,
the BDA has never had much $$$ to work with. At the end of
June 2023, the BDA has but $3616.89 in their general checking
account. To keep doors and lights on, it takes close to $600
per month.
For instance, according to sec / treas. Deborah Salisgiver, to get thru next year including all expenses like insurance, it's going to take $14,400. With around $10K expected to come their way, you can see how tight the budget really is.
The biggy for the non profit during the last 4 years has been the rebuilding of the flood damaged BC&G RR spur line from Dundon to nearly Widen. Now that that the rails have been completed, it's time to hire a rail ride contractor. The W Va Rail Authority, which actually owns the spur line, has stepped in and conducted the bidding process.
With two bidders submitting proposals, the winner most likely will be announced sometime next week. Remember "most likely". Read on.
From early on they've known, to attract a professional rail ride company, they need some bait, some infrastructure. That bait is a place to house the rail operator offices, ticket sales, maintenance areas, trinket shops, and maybe even a munchy and pop shop. The answer is the Dundon Campground which is owned by the Central Appalachia Empowerment Zone (CAEZ) in Dundon.
Here comes that just mentioned dirty rotten to the core part....
CAEZ has managed to single handily hold up our future economy with their bickering, mismanagement, bitter disputes, and out right dumber than a rock operation style. CAEZ Boardsters include Commissioners Dave Schoolcraft and Connie Kinder.
According to BDA Chair Mitch DeBoard, neither bidder has any interest in setting up an operation in County Clay without full access to that Dundon Campground. DeBoard, "CAEZ has the future of Clay County in their hands." He added that, if the campground isn't available for their use, the bid contracts will be null and void.
Thinking they have a gold mine with the tiny campground, CAEZ chose not to hold a July Board meeting where a decision could be made.
That's right, just when a quick decision needs to be made, the whole ^^%%!!! Board went AWOL.
Maybe CAEZers may think they have the county's future by the short hairs. True the Dundon campground is the easiest, quickest way to get rail rides off the ground, there are other options. Any other option would leave CAEZ in the dust... with nothing. If those other options come to fruition, CAEZ deserves to wither on the vine. It's a shame such a dismal social service agency could slow down the new tourism economy in 2023.
Whether it's a rail car ride, a rail bus ride, a full blown steam engine deal, or some combination of each, they're talking real jobs and many spin off opportunities for any local company with a brain.
Here's a hand out from that June 10th meeting. According to DeBoard, if the bidding process goes South, there is another guy that is interested or at least looking at, in a much smaller rail car ride for this year's Fall colors.
For instance, according to sec / treas. Deborah Salisgiver, to get thru next year including all expenses like insurance, it's going to take $14,400. With around $10K expected to come their way, you can see how tight the budget really is.
The biggy for the non profit during the last 4 years has been the rebuilding of the flood damaged BC&G RR spur line from Dundon to nearly Widen. Now that that the rails have been completed, it's time to hire a rail ride contractor. The W Va Rail Authority, which actually owns the spur line, has stepped in and conducted the bidding process.
With two bidders submitting proposals, the winner most likely will be announced sometime next week. Remember "most likely". Read on.
From early on they've known, to attract a professional rail ride company, they need some bait, some infrastructure. That bait is a place to house the rail operator offices, ticket sales, maintenance areas, trinket shops, and maybe even a munchy and pop shop. The answer is the Dundon Campground which is owned by the Central Appalachia Empowerment Zone (CAEZ) in Dundon.
Here comes that just mentioned dirty rotten to the core part....
CAEZ has managed to single handily hold up our future economy with their bickering, mismanagement, bitter disputes, and out right dumber than a rock operation style. CAEZ Boardsters include Commissioners Dave Schoolcraft and Connie Kinder.
According to BDA Chair Mitch DeBoard, neither bidder has any interest in setting up an operation in County Clay without full access to that Dundon Campground. DeBoard, "CAEZ has the future of Clay County in their hands." He added that, if the campground isn't available for their use, the bid contracts will be null and void.
Thinking they have a gold mine with the tiny campground, CAEZ chose not to hold a July Board meeting where a decision could be made.
That's right, just when a quick decision needs to be made, the whole ^^%%!!! Board went AWOL.
Maybe CAEZers may think they have the county's future by the short hairs. True the Dundon campground is the easiest, quickest way to get rail rides off the ground, there are other options. Any other option would leave CAEZ in the dust... with nothing. If those other options come to fruition, CAEZ deserves to wither on the vine. It's a shame such a dismal social service agency could slow down the new tourism economy in 2023.
Whether it's a rail car ride, a rail bus ride, a full blown steam engine deal, or some combination of each, they're talking real jobs and many spin off opportunities for any local company with a brain.
Here's a hand out from that June 10th meeting. According to DeBoard, if the bidding process goes South, there is another guy that is interested or at least looking at, in a much smaller rail car ride for this year's Fall colors.
Finally, Bernie
Howe has been on the BDA for a couple years now. His most
recent project is the cleaning up of the 32 miles of the Elk
River in Clayberry. His project will take place four different
times this Summer.
His first clean up effort is noted above.
How about it readers. How about you. Mr Howe's contact is on the sign just above. If you can't help out this Saturday, get signed up for a latter work party.
His first clean up effort is noted above.
How about it readers. How about you. Mr Howe's contact is on the sign just above. If you can't help out this Saturday, get signed up for a latter work party.
AW