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GVEDC official sees need to expand area parking lots [The Register-Herald, Beckley, W.Va. :: ](Register-Herald (Beckley, WV) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) April 18--MAXWELTON -- By Tina Alvey REGISTER-HERALD REPORTER MAXWELTON -- The Rahall Building in the Airport Industrial Park isn't just bustling, it's even beginning to outgrow the capacity of its parking lots. Executive director Steve Weir advised the board of directors of the Greenbrier Valley Economic Development Corporation (GVEDC) that the recent addition of Mountain Lumber on the south side of the building and increased traffic at both Seneca Health Services and the veterans' Outpatient Clinic on the opposite end of the structure will require more parking than is currently available. Mountain Lumber is preparing for a second line in its prefinished wood plant, with predictions of that line being operational by May 15, Weir said. The initial line at the Maxwelton site began production only about a month ago. "They are getting product out the door," Weir said. With the second line -- and the additional personnel that will mean -- on the horizon, Weir said clearing land for an expansion of the existing gravel parking lot on that side of the building is a priority. On the north side of the building, both the clinic and Seneca have increased staffing and have seen their client bases grow more quickly than anticipated, Weir said. Although the paved parking lot adjacent to those businesses contains spaces for 300 vehicles, it is no longer enough. Weir suggested, however, that an area next to a fence might be pressed into use for a few more vehicles, if the pavement were marked. Weir also said the veterans' clinic is considering expanding its facility into an additional section of the GVEDC-owned Rahall Building. - -- - Weir said the Pocahontas County Board of Education has reached out to Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., for assistance in its proposed purchase of the Edray Building in the industrial park owned by the GVEDC in Marlinton. The board wants to relocate its central office to that building, and use the rest of the space therein for vocational education programs, according to Weir. He added that the state Department of Agriculture is also now involved in those discussions. The hitch, Weir said, is that the school board wants the building to be "given to them, free of charge." He said he has made it clear that those arrangements would have to be made with the state, because the GVEDC "would not put any money into that." Weir said, "We're on a wait-and-see basis with this." In other business: - The GVEDC board members continued preliminary discussions about their annual meeting and banquet, which will probably be held in June. The Greenbrier resort was mentioned as a potential site for this year's meeting. - The board approved forming a partnership with the Greater Greenbrier Chamber of Commerce and the Greenbrier County Convention and Visitors Bureau to develop a recruitment package to help attract industry to the region. Each of the three agencies will appoint two members to work on the joint venture. - The board accepted the resignation of Billy Wade Wickline. -- E-mail: [email protected] ___ (c)2014 The Register-Herald (Beckley, W.Va.) Visit The Register-Herald (Beckley, W.Va.) at www.register-herald.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |