Southern W.Va. officials uncertain of financial impact of closing portion of Hatfield-McCoy ATV trail

BLUEFIELD, W.Va. — The impending closure of a portion of the Hatfield-McCoy ATV trail could impact the local tourism industry, and it has caught the attention of local officials.

Mercer County Convention & Visitors Bureau Executive Director Jamie Null, presenting city and county officials with the Mercer County Convention & Visitors Bureau’s annual report last week, said the county has seen more visits from tourists and more internet activity demonstrating interest from potential visitors.

City Manager Dane Rideout asked Null about the potential impact of closing part of the Pocahontas Trail, Mercer County’s branch of the Hatfield-McCoy ATV Trail. In late October, the trail authority announced it would close Dec. 3 because “outlaw” riders were coming too close to a coal mining operation near Windmill Gap. Work is under way to map out and build a new trail, which will be between 50 to 70 miles long, bigger than the Pocahontas Trail’s 40 miles, Hatfield-McCoy officials said soon after the closure plan was announced. …