Published: June 18, 2008 11:56 am      

Mineral assets can be hindrance to growth

KEYSER, W.Va. - Mineral County Development Authority President Rick Linthicum stood beside his car at the overlook on U.S. Route 50 near Elk Garden Tuesday morning, looking out over the rolling landscape of the sun-drenched mountains spread out before him.

Admitting that the picturesque landscape is one of Mineral County's best assets, Linthicum pointed out that the terrain is also one of the county's worst problems - when it comes to the task of enticing jobs into the area.

With the mountains making it very difficult to get sufficient supplies of water, sewer, power and communications to areas within the county where businesses might wish to locate, he points out it is subsequently very difficult to get those companies to consider locating their businesses here because of the lack of those services.

"The whole problem is where we live," he said, calling the mountains "a natural barrier."

"We just can't attract the big industries without having a lot to offer."

Despite that thought, however, Linthicum, who recently took over the helm of the Development Authority this month, says he and the members of the board are ready to search for some fresh ideas and new sources of potential businesses.

"We've got lots of enthusiasm," he said, noting that the authority's progress had been hindered for a while due to the lack of an executive director since Kristan Carter resigned several months ago.

"The executive director does a lot of the footwork for the Development Authority. When we didn't have an executive director, Amy (White, past authority president) had to take a lot of that responsibility on herself," he said.

He looks forward to July 7, when Mona Ridder takes over as executive director.

"She has the utmost concern of the community at heart," he said.

She will, however, have her work cut out for her.

In addition to recruiting, Linthicum says it is also a major goal to keep the businesses that are already here.

"Business retention is a big part of the director's job," he said, noting that in order to promote growth it is also important to maintain the success stories that are already in place.

"Success breeds success," he said.

"I would expect that the executive director would be going about visiting these businesses and seeing what they're needs are and what we can do for them."

He also expects that seeking out companies that might be willing to locate at the Fort Ashby Business and Technical Park, where amenities such as water, three-phase electric, and broadband are available, will also be a priority.

"What is my goal for the park?" he asked as he stood beside the hopefully soon-to-be occupied multi-tenant building later Tuesday morning.

"I want somebody in every lot," he said.

Linthicum admits, however, that the lack of funding is also an impediment to seeking out potential businesses.

He said because Mineral County doesn't have the business or the population that some counties do, it does not have the tax base needed to provide sufficient funding to the Development Authority.

"We have a minimal budget, which means we don't have the money to offer incentives to these businesses thinking about locating here," he said.

He remains hopeful, however, that the members of the Development Authority can work together with others in the county to help improve the outlook for the future.

"We have a lot of questions, but not a whole lot of solutions yet," he said.

"But we're open to suggestions."

Contact Liz Beavers at lbeavers@times-news.com.