The year 2008 was a banner year in Boone County for many projects spearheaded by the Boone County Community Economic Development and Tourism Office.

During the recent meeting of the county development office’s board of directors, members reviewed recently completed projects and were updated on future developments planned for 2009 and beyond.

“Thanks to the assistance of the Boone County Commission, we’ve been able to undertake many projects and the future looks good,” Director Larry Lodato remarked. “The cooperation has been excellent. The Commission and our board all work hard to achieve a common goal to better the quality of life for Boone County residents.”

During 2008, the county development office assisted with two major developments on Corridor G, which included the opening of Massey Energy’s Regional Headquarters and the Hatfield-McCoy Regional Recreational Trails Authority’s new Trailhead, Retail and Welcome Center.

The county development office’s director worked with Massey Energy officials on infrastructure planning, waterline extension and access road issues as well as other site development challenges.

Massey Energy is Boone County’s largest employer with 1,600 employees, including 120 at the new 51,000 square foot building, which opened recently and even more employees are to come at the planned employee training facility.

The new Hatfield-McCoy Trails Authority building became a reality after U.S. Congressman Nick Joe Rahall, was asked by the county development office to allow the State Department of Transportation to utilize state property at the northern overlook area on Corridor G.

The Boone County Commission stepped in and allowed its maintenance department to build the facility to help create jobs and assist with economic development and tourism in the county. One full-time and six part-time jobs were created when the Trailhead, Retail and Welcome Center opened in September.

Future BCCEDC projects include:

- Employing the services of E.L. Robinson Engineering to update the Boone County Land Use Master Plan to include new permitted areas and proposed permitted areas for future development;

- Assist landowner Everett Hannah with the development of a 40-acre industrial/commercial site at Wash Branch Road, adjacent to the new Massey Energy Regional Headquarters;

- Working with Hobet Mining Co. officials on a Socioeconomic report to be included in their surface mine permit application for the proposed Hillfork surface operation planned for the Lower Hewitt area, just off Corridor G (US119);

- Assisting the Boone County Parks and Recreation Commission with the development of a soccer/utility complex at WaterWays Park, and a new walking and hiking trail that would link up with the present trail and would extend out near the entrance of the water park;

- Assisting the Bituminous Coal Heritage Foundation with the development of an exhibit hall for the arts and cultural events as well as living history exhibitions to be located in a building adjacent to the Coal Heritage Museum in downtown Madison;

- Working with the Hatfield-McCoy Recreational Trails Authority and board member Dan Parker, to develop a trail into the city of Madison, which would benefit local retailers;

- Working with Coal River Energy on plans to develop property in the Fork Creek and Nellis areas.

During the recent meeting, the board unanimously approved the recommendation of the director to appoint Bill Cook, manager of the Danville Community Center to the Board of Directors, and presented outgoing Board Chairman Gordon Eversole with an engraved clock in recognition of his eight years of service as chairman.

“Mr. Eversole was an excellent leader for 20 years on the Boone County Commission and served eight years as our board chairman, helping to bring progress to Boone County,” Lodato pointed out.

“He will be remembered as the architect of the $40 million county-wide water development project that helped bring water to more than 90 percent of the people in Boone County,” Lodato said.

Also on the board of directors of the Boone County Community, Economic Development and Tourism office are: Jeri Adkins, a former Boone County resident and Scott High school graduate, who is the vice president of the Charleston Area Alliance; local forester Dan Parker, and Roger McNeely, a former business owner in Boone County, who recently returned to work in the coal industry. Judy Sanders is the office’s secretary.

“None of the current and future projects would have been possible without the tireless efforts of the Boone County Commission (Atholl W. Halstead, Mickey Brown, and Gordon Eversole), and Boone County Administrator Jim Gore,” Lodato said. “The Commission is totally committed to continue using funding for infrastructure projects such as water and sewer.”

“The two state senators representing Boone County, Ron Stollings, and Earl Ray Tomblin, were instrumental in getting $500,000 from the state to bring water to the new Trailhead Center and WaterWays Park, which led to the waterline extension to the Massey Energy building,” Lodato stated.