From the Go North Alliance

NEPA (the National Environmental Policy Act) required the Division of Highways to re-examine its preferred route in part because of a “significant change in circumstances.” Now, it must find an alignment that will be compatible with a thriving tourist economy. 

After decades of economic decline, things have dramatically changed in eastern Tucker County. Our three “gateway communities,” Thomas, Davis and Canaan Valley, capture the majority of Tucker County’s economic activity.

Tourism is on the rise all over the state, and Tucker County leads the state’s robust economy in outdoor recreation and heritage tourism. Thomas and Davis, two rural towns that form one community, have grown economically and socially in concert over the past 20 years. 

With a 10-year growth rate in Tucker County of 198.3% and 698 new businesses (only Jefferson, Berkeley and Summers Counties are ahead of us), we can say, in the words of Governor Justice, “We know how good our pond is and we’re proud!”

In 2018 a marketing campaign called Almost Heaven was launched to rebrand West Virginia as “a destination abounding with unspoiled nature, rich history and a peaceful way of life.” By the time the Almost Heaven campaign got started, Tucker County had already made a seismic shift – doubling its number of businesses with an economy on the rise. Word had gotten out about this unique situation on our mountaintop … and people were flocking to the great outdoors and the small local towns. 

In fact, the mountaintop was already offering access to each and every outdoor resource that the state was newly promoting with its “rebranding” campaign: 

Small Towns, Waterfalls, State Parks, Hiking and Biking Trails, Dark Skies, Historic Resources.

It is imperative that the final choice for the section of Corridor H between Parsons and Davis boost the long-term economy of this critical Tucker County area.

A good question to ask yourself:  Would the ROPA alignment (West Virginia Department of Highways preferred route) complement the current economic conditions of the area, or conflict with them? 

This newsletter gives a view of what sustainable home-grown economy – based on its assets –  looks like in our community. Next month’s newsletter will talk about what “economic opportunity” looks like to the Department of Transportation. It’s called “Highway Industry.”