Working Together We Can Make A Difference

On this page: Mission Statement Priority Projects Projects Completed Grants Obtained Board Members Other Links

Pocahontas Development Authority
Post Office Box 256
Marlinton, West Virginia 24954
Phone:   304-799-6674
Fax:     304-799-6675
E-mail:   pocahontascc@neumedia.net
~~~~~~
The Pocahontas County Commission
The Pocahontas County Business Directory
The Agenda for the next PDA meeting
East Cass Community Park

Our Mission      The Pocahontas Development Authority values a high quality of life characterized by community cooperation, low unemployment, quality infrastructure, and a strong education system with lifelong learning opportunities. The Authority wants to provide such a living enviornment for all of our County's residents and future generations.      Towards this end, the Pocahontas Development Authority acts to lead and coordinate economic and community development throughout the county. We will seek broad public input and build consensus in an effort to lead the community through inevitable change towards a shared vision. The Authority creates more opportunities by actively fostering entrepreneurship, economic diversification, business retention, and business recruiting. The PDA provides leadership for the planning and implementation of infrastructure improvements.

Back to Top

POCAHONTAS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
PRIORITY PROJECTS FOR 1999

• WEB SITE DEVELOPMENT: Develop web page linked to GVFDC site and linked to Pocahontas County Tourism Commission (PCTC) site. Lead: Reta Griffith and J.D. Morgan. Fund with business retention/expansion dollars or Local Economic Development (LED) grant dollars.
• FLOOD MITIGATION WORK: Research our ability to contract out this work with one individual, someone who has a proven track record on dealing with these matters. This work includes: relocation in East Cass. assisting Town of Marlinton with Corps of Engineer projects, meeting with reprcsentatives from the Bartow/Frank/Durbin area to determine if they want to pursue Cornmunity Redesign program and, if so, working with them on meeting their objectives. Lead: Joel Callison. Fund with grant from Region IV (about $10,000 available).
• PROJECT HOPE II: Work with local communities to ensure all projects are completed. Lead: Greg Riffe and Cindy Schilfer. Fund with Appalachian Regional Commission grant (about $18,000 available).
• CERTIFIED DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY APPLICATION: Pursue having Richard Ellard complete this through GVEDC. Lead: G. Scott. If we need to fund, use LED grant dollars.
• INDUSTRIAL SITE DEVELOPMENT: Coordinate efforts through GVEDC. Cindy Schiffer will research deed restrictions and quiet zone issue with the National Radio Astronomy Observatory on the Greenbank Site. Lead: G. Scott and Greg Riffe.
• BUSINESS RETENTION/EXPANSION: Have Scott Loveridge give presentation to PDA on survey results from local business interviews at our January meeting. Form committee and determine course of action after that. Pursue cooperation with GVEDC on training needs. Coordinate training with needs identified in School to Work team. Funds available: $12,300 grant.
• SCHOOL TO WORK: Continue efforts with school system on this program. Committee members are Jim Burks, Ruth Taylor, and Greg Riffe.
• ASSET ASSESSMENT: Ruth Taylor will coordinate with Dean Jones and the Chamber of Commerce on the business directory. We may tie this to the industrial site development and web page work. Lead: Ruth Taylor, Cindy Schiffer. Funds available: $2,500 grant.
• US ROUTE 219: This will be a standing agenda item. PDA will monitor issues surrounding upgrade of this highway and encourage public participation. PDA members will participate in the December public meeting held by the State. We will review the resolution adopted by PCTC at our January meeting to see if we concur with their position.
• CASS: Support implementation of Cass Scenic Railroad Master Plan as requested/needed.
• LISTENING PROJECT: Reta Griffith will prepare summary for PDA review, we will bind results into a complete report and provide summary to the media. Funds available: $800.
• MEMBERSHIP: Recruit at least 3 new members to attend Christmas Dinner. Present slate of membership and priority projects to the County Commission in January or February.

Back to Top

Projects Completed in 1998

• Project Hope I
• Business Retention Survey of 30+ Businesses in Pocahontas County
• Flood Mitigation Coordinator position
• Industrial site studies for Marlinton and GreenBank sites
• $25,000 in low interest loan for a local industry business
• Facilitation of flood mitigation meetings In cooperation with Town of Marlinton
• Organization of Watershed Associations in Pocahontas County
• Consensus Building Workshop with community leaders and high school students
• Helped to obtain over $57,000 for the Durbin Rail-with-Trail, the Durbin-Bartow Trail, and other related projects

      These projects were completed by PDA staff, board members, or officers of the Pocahontas Development Authority with assistsnct from community volunteers
Back to Top