County Projects Explained at Chamber Luncheon

“We're in exciting times in the process of renewal in McDowell County and you are a part of that,” County Commissioner Carl Urps told the audience at the Welch Chamber of Commerce Luncheon Thursday afternoon.

Urps joined McDowell County EDA Director Rachel Lester in describing the projects that are creating the optimism.

The newly opened Stevens Facility created approximately 130 jobs and will infuse about $6 million in annual revenue, Urps said.

The Capels Landfill, which is set to open in the near future, will provide the lure he asserted.

In touching on future projects, Urps said funds are being sought to renovate the courthouse, a $12 million dollar project.

He said he'd also like to see an airport constructed on the 6300 acres.

Drug trafficking is another issue that must be addressed, Urps noted. In that regard, Urps said he has instructed the County Commission Public Relations Director to interview local law enforcement officials about how the problem should be addressed. When the interviews are concluded, Urps said the commission will set up a meeting with the vehicle for cleaning up the county. Moreover, Urps said the landfill will be an additional revenue source.

The Indian Ridge Industrial Park , where the new federal prison will be created, will create over 300-400 permanent jobs and around 500 construction jobs.

When he joined the County Commission a decade ago, Urps said the county was in deplorable shape. The Commission had only $14,000 in the bank and owed $300,000.

“We worked hard to get things done,” he said. “We purchased 6300 acres, one of the largest land acquisitions we've had. We recognized early on that we had to diversify the economy and develop a system to eradicate the boom and bust cycle of coal.”

The 6300 acres, Urps said, have become the cornerstone the county development. In addition to providing a location for one federal prison and the landfill, Urps said that a 1.4 mile exchange of the Coalfields Expressway/King Coal Highway is already located at the Industrial Park. The federal prison, he said, will be the magnet to ensure the completion and expansion of the road.

Phase three of industrial park development is reserved for housing, Urps said. Progress created opportunity for growth and McDowell County is currently rope for all types of development, including motels, restaurants, housing and a variety of other businesses. Urps advised local restaurants to prepare for the growth and not allow the opportunities to pass them by.

--Cathy Patton (Welch News)