By Charles Owens, Bluefield Daily Telegraph
BLUEFIELD, W.Va. — A newly created authority is working to promote economic development and tourism growth along the King Coal Highway corridor in southern West Virginia.
The Central Appalachian Highway Economic Development Authority held its first meeting Wednesday evening at Marshall University in Huntington, at which time Jim Spencer of Bluefield was elected as the authority’s first chairman. The authority is composed of 15 members representing Mercer, McDowell, Mingo, Wayne and Wyoming counties.
Spencer, who also serves as the executive director of the Bluefield Economic Development Authority, said the goal of the group is to look for opportunities for economic development and growth along the King Coal Highway corridor, which is West Virginia’s routing of the future Interstate 73/74/75.
“I’m excited,” Spencer said Thursday. “I think this is a great opportunity for the future. Our goal is not looking at designing the road. The Department of Transportation is handling all of that. Ours is looking for economic opportunities along that corridor. Are there areas that are conducive for an industrial site or economic development?”
The new authority was created earlier this year as the result of Senate Bill 354 and was signed into law by Gov. Jim Justice. The legislation created the West Virginia Advanced Energy and Economic Development Authority, which is now being called the Central Appalachian Highway Economic Development Authority.
