The link between senior community housing and economic growth in America is evident in the ever increasing demand for housing that accommodates older adults' changing needs.  And locally, housing initiatives can lead to job creation, community revitalization, and enhanced quality of life which can then contribute to overall economic growth by an increase in local spending, and boosting property values, generating greater tax bases, and providing peripheral opportunities for economic development.  Overall, the relationship between housing and economic growth makes it clear that addressing housing is essential for fostering economic growth and improving the quality of life for all.

Currently in the early stages, this project will look to attract more people looking to retire to an area with manageable taxes, natural beauty, and access to all required community services, amenities and the many available attractions and activities in the area.

Big Ditch Lake is a 55 acre lake in Webster County and is currently owned and managed by the WV Department of Natural Resources. The property is part of a 380 acre Wildlife Management Area. This project will entail the take over 45 acres of land at the Big Ditch Lake site in Cowen.  The purpose of the takeover of the that land management will be to develop campsites, boat launches, and pavilions which will create jobs and increase tourism to improve local economic development.  

This program was started in 2023 and we have successfully worked with property owners in cleaning up approximately 40 properties in the county.  The goal of the DBP is to help promote cleaner, safer and more attractive neighborhoods which will, in turn, help promote tourism and attract people to the area.  

The objective of this project is to bring city water to homes in the Diana/Guardian area of Webster County.  This project is currently 60% funded through the Army Corp of Engineers and Congressionally Appropriated Spending but is already in progress with work on the design and engineering phases.  Additionally, grant applications have already been submitted in order to secure funding for the remaining 40% costs of the project.

Water is inextricably linked to the economy as it shapes the wellbeing and prosperity of communities. The true economic impact of water infrastructure is often obscured within health, social, and environmental outcomes, as well as its direct effects on businesses. Water is a core component of public capital investments and operational expenditures.  In general, sufficient, well-maintained water infrastructure can support sustainable economic development and boost the workforce over the long-term. Water infrastructure spending also provides indirect benefits to communities by attracting adjacent retail and service industries as well as supporting a healthy housing market.  Inversely, the failure to invest in water infrastructure can leave a community vulnerable and can impact the tax base as well as discourage investments. The link between water and economic development highlights the impact of water infrastructure spending on the overall long-term prosperity of a community.

The objective of this project is to bring city water to homes in the Grassy Creek  area of Webster County. This project is 100% funded through grants from Army Corp of Engineers and other state and federal agencies.  The design and engineering phases have been completed.  The physical construction to install the water lines will be starting in the Spring of 2026.  

This project will provide a mile and a half walking/bike trail from Holly River State into Hacker Valley.  In the early stages of development, the project is being built in a partnership with the Northern Webster County Improvement Council and a grant application is being pursued with WV Department of Highways.  

Access to high-speed internet is vital for a diverse set of industries, including agricultural production, manufacturing, mining, and forestry and acts as a catalyst for rural prosperity by enabling efficient, modern communications between rural American households, schools, and healthcare centers.  Unfortunately, 22.3 percent of Americans in rural areas lack coverage from fixed terrestrial 25/3 Mbps broadband, as compared to only 1.5 percent of Americans in urban areas, according to a recent report by the Federal Communications Commission.

In conjunction with the Federal Government, this project is 100% federally funded and is focused on bringing high-speed Internet throughout the entire county, with a focus on making high speed internet services available where there currently are none.  CityNet is the partner provider for this internet project.