McDowell Prison Project is Moving Forward

Rachel Lester, Executive Director of the McDowell County Economic Development Authority, advises that even in light of the several “hiccups” in getting the Federal Correctional Facility started, meaningful progress is being made.

Recently arriving at the County's Indian Ridge Industrial Park is a “double-wide” unit to be used by the Federal Bureau of Prison's construction group.

Also, the EDA is working in concert with the Federal Prison people and the State's Work Force Development team to initiate classes on “Basic Skills Needed to Work in a Correctional Environment.”

The courses will be slanted to folks interested in gaining employment with the Bureau of Prisons.

The classes will also be meaningful to any individual interested in developing their skills for progress in the business world.

Classes will be conducted in leadership, oral & written communications, diversity training, technology, basic Spanish, organizational structures, and protection of credit rating.

It is anticipated that classes will begin prior to November 1. Further details can be obtained by contacting the EDA office at 92 McDowell Street in Welch, (304) 436-3833 or e-mail: mceda@citlink.net

The current “bump in the road” for getting the facility built lies at the feet of Congress. With Election Day coming on November 7, Congress, most probably, will adjourn on September 29 without fin action on the domestic appropriations bill which contains funding for completion of the McDowell Facility.

It is anticipated that Congress will reconvene in a lame-duck session, to consider the domestic appropriations bill after election.