Economic Development

WASHINGTON, D.C. – An initiative designed to attract economic investment to historic buildings and districts in rural communities is being introduced to Congress by senators Mark Warner (D) of Virginia and Shelley Moore Capito (R) of West Virginia. The Rural Historic Tax Credit Improvement Act will significantly reduce financial burdens for rural homeowners and developers … Read more

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Whether you think it looks good or not, painting a brick building can destroy it. Even if it doesn’t collapse the structure, maintenance will ever-after be pricey, as painters must return every several years to repaint. If your insurer doesn’t come after you first, the masons or demolitionists you may have to … Read more

THURMOND. W.Va. — Consultants employed by the National Park Service to evaluate the condition of nationally historic structures in the New River Gorge, which are now slated for demolition, instead recommend saving them. Despite recent proposals by park officials to demolish the buildings, professionals asked by the park service to weigh in on the matter … Read more

ALDERSON, W.Va. — Members of one of West Virginia’s founding families are fighting to save a commercial building on the National Register of Historic Places that consultants have determined to be viable as a new business location. Sarah Alderson, whose fifth great-grandfather established the town on the Greenbrier River, said she and her brother, Joe … Read more

FRANKFORD, W.Va. — One of the most significant restorations underway in West Virginia has attracted the attention of state preservationists, who are awarding its developers and proponents for their efforts. The Preservation Alliance of West Virginia has awarded the repair of a log-built picnic pavilion and other structures at the Blue Bend Recreation Area with … Read more

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Communities across West Virginia are turning to their scenic potential to bolster local economies. They’ve discovered that beauty spots attract tourists and increase the desirability of nearby real estate without much expense. Landscape architect Joe Bird, vice president of Chapman Technical Group, says West Virginia’s beauty has substantial economic value, and investors … Read more

ELKINS, W.Va. — To help educate the public about the value and stability of historic stone walls, the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia has declared those in historic districts across the Mountain State “endangered.” According to Danielle Parker, the organization’s executive director, “statewide, hand-cut stone walls aged 50 years or older are part of this … Read more

THURMOND, W.Va. — Programming through a preservation organization in West Virginia will support leasing in this historic town where the National Park Service had considered demolishing several nationally historic buildings it had formerly promised to save. Following a groundswell of public aversion to a proposal to demolish more than 20 historic structures in the town, … Read more

PAX, W.Va. — Few motorists traveling the West Virginia Turnpike between Beckley and Charleston may know that one of the state’s most beautiful trout streams lies hidden in the mountain forests along the way. But now scenic Paint Creek, named for ancient trees once painted blood-red by Native American warriors, is gaining ground as a … Read more