Wood County Commission Approves Economic Development Grant and Discusses Local Development Activity

Lindsey Piersol, Executive Director of Wood County Development, appeared before the Wood County Commission on Monday to get approval to apply for a grant and to discuss local development activity. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

Wood County Commission Approves Grant Application

The Wood County Commission has approved a resolution to apply for the Local Economic Development Grant from the state of West Virginia. Lindsey Piersol, the Executive Director of Wood County Development, presented the grant opportunity during a commission meeting on Monday. The grant, which requires a matching contribution from the county, has been increased to just over $31,000. The county has received the same grant amount for the past three years, with last year’s grant totaling $22,727 before the county’s portion.

Local Development Activity

Piersol informed the commission about the ongoing development activities in the area. She mentioned that a housing study, which the commission had contributed to, has resulted in the county receiving the Build West Virginia designation, making it one of only seven counties in the state to receive this designation. Piersol also mentioned that several Wood County builders are in the process of applying for acceptance into the state development office. Additionally, Piersol hinted at upcoming announcements regarding development projects, including one in the Washington area.

Timeframe for Development Projects

Commissioner Jimmy Colombo inquired about the timeframe between project announcements, construction work, and the actual opening of businesses. Piersol used the example of the FedEx Distribution Center in south Parkersburg, which took approximately two years from announcement to opening. She emphasized that these projects often require a significant amount of time to go from start to finish.

Affirmation of Local Development

Commission President Blair Couch highlighted the ongoing development in the region, citing examples such as the FedEx facility, Old Dominion Trucking, Mister Bee Potato Chips, and the Fontaine Modification Company. He emphasized that contrary to public perception, the county has not lost its existing businesses and continues to grow and create jobs.

Future Announcements and Projects

Piersol expressed her eagerness to share details about the various ongoing projects but mentioned that non-disclosure agreements limit her ability to disclose specific information. She assured the commission that there are several projects in the works, some of which have been under development for over a year and a half. Piersol anticipated that significant announcements would be made in 2024.

Computer Bids for Wood County 911 Center

The commission opened two bids for 12 computers intended for use in the new Wood County 911 Center. The bids, submitted by MRA International and Platinum Micro Inc., are under review by the commission’s information technology department. The commission also plans to explore state contracts to determine alternative options. The computers will be used for dispatching purposes at the center.

New Appointments

The commission officially swore in Mike Shook as the new 911 Director and John Woods as an assistant prosecutor.

Conclusion

The Wood County Commission approved an economic development grant application and discussed various local development activities. The grant, requiring a matching contribution from the county, has been increased to just over $31,000. Lindsey Piersol, the Executive Director of Wood County Development, provided updates on ongoing projects and announced future announcements expected in 2024. The commission also opened bids for computers intended for the new Wood County 911 Center and swore in Mike Shook as the 911 Director and John Woods as an assistant prosecutor.