Summers County Developments

Summers County Developments: Bluestone Hydroelectric
and the New Sandstone Visitor Center

In the midst of so much negative news circulating on the state and national levels, I’m especially pleased to be able to write a column about two very positive developments in our area: the progress of the Bluestone Hydroelectric Power Project, and the completion of the Sandstone Visitor Center.

Residents of Summers County will be thrilled to know that the West Virginia Economic Development Grant Committee has finally decided upon which projects to fund, and our own Bluestone Hydroelectric Power Project was among those selected. While there is certainly disagreement among some pundits about the merits of other major projects the grant committee is planning to fund, I don’t think anyone can argue against the benefits of a hydroelectric power source in this area. It’s the kind of economic development effort the Legislature had in mind when we adopted legislation creating this grant process.

When the Bluestone Dam was built in the 1940s, it was intended to control flooding and to generate power, but the demand for flood control in other areas was so high, the power generation issue was pushed aside. But since 1990, a coalition to build a power source has been working toward building a hydroelectric facility. Already, nearly $2 million has been spent on the project, which will eventually total $70 million. Seems like a lot of money? Not when you consider the results:

    * Between 200 to 300 jobs will be available during the two-and-a-half year construction period, worth about $15 million.
    * The cities of Hinton, White Sulphur Springs, and Philippi will gain about $500,000 a year for the first 30 years, then about $1 million a year for the next 20 years in royalty payments from the power generated and sold.
    * Hinton will receive a one-time payment of $1 million in lieu of a B&O tax.

The project is to be paid for with a bond issuance, funded through a power purchase agreement that will pay off the debt within 30 years. The West Virginia Economic Development Grant Committee is providing a loan of $2.5 million to allow for cost studies.

There’s so much Hinton, White Sulphur Springs and Philippi can do with these funds – the economic development potential is staggering. As has been widely noted, Hinton will be presented with a tremendous opportunity to further promote tourism; lure new businesses; continue to pursue our identity as a retirement community; and draw technology companies.

The state is providing only a fraction of the project funds, but the payoff for the Legislature and Gov. Bob Wise’s administration is the potential development in our area. We now have the opportunity to control our own destiny, but the state will reap its own reward through growth in the number of businesses, and hopefully residents, who move to our area. In addition, tourism expansion in one region benefits the entire state, as West Virginia continues to establish itself as a vacation destination.

Meanwhile, we’ll be able to enjoy the immediate gratification of the opening of the Sandstone Visitor Center, which will help attract motorists traveling Interstate 64 to the New River Gorge. I’ll be joining Congressman Nick Joe Rahall and others Sept. 7, when the Department of the Interior and National Park System will hold a ribbon cutting at the 11,800-square-foot facility. The focus of the center will be our area’s vast natural and cultural history, including historic Hinton, and there will be many educational exhibits. The New River, as well as Sandstone Falls, Pipestem State Park, Bluestone Lake, the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine and Tamarack, will also be featured. The site also has a picnic area and views of the gorge and the New River.

The visitor center will be open year-round except for Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

These are potentially two of the biggest occasions in the modern history of our county. The positive ramifications will benefit future generations in myriad ways.

I welcome and appreciate your input on these issues, or any other legislative matter. Please call me at (304)340-3106 or write to Delegate Virginia Mahan, 215-E, Capitol Complex, Charleston, WV 25305.