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Boos & Applause

Applause to a major economic development announcement made in Elkins this week. An expansion project to create a distribution center at Armstrong Flooring’s manufacturing plant in Beverly could bring up to 50 new jobs, officials announced Wednesday. The expansion will add 85,000 square feet to the local facility, which is the largest pre-finished hardwood flooring plant in the country. Made possible by a $2.5 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, the project was announced by U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., along with federal, state and local officials, the Randolph County Development Authority and Armstrong leaders. The distribution center project also is expected to help retain 60 existing jobs and generate approximately $16.2 million in private investment, officials said. This is great news for Randolph County and the entire region.

Applause to all the Mountain State Forest Festival officials and volunteers who labored to bring us a wonderful weeklong celebration that culminated with last Sunday’s closing ceremony. Mother Nature certainly did her part, as the weather was more sunny and warm than many longtime natives could ever remember enjoying during past Forest Festivals. Thank you to everyone who worked so hard on the 81st MSFF, and here’s hoping next year’s event is just as successful.

Speaking of local festivals, applause to the annual Autumn on the Dryfork Festival, set for today, giving residents of Randolph and nearby counties the opportunity to be surrounded by a tapestry of fall colors while enjoying food, music and fun. The event, which kicks off at 11 a.m., will feature a menu including chicken barbecue dinners prepared by Danny Bucher, pig roast meals prepared by Fred Pennington and the Assembly of God Women’s Ministry, and beans, coleslaw, rolls, desserts and drinks prepared by the Dry Fork Recreation Center, the host of the festival. The Assembly of God Women’s Ministry will also be making apple butter on site, while the recreation center provides apple cider. Both will be available for sale.

Applause to the Randolph County United Way, which will offer a rummage sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday at the First United Methodist Church in Elkins, and on Saturday a Kickoff Event at 8 a.m. and its annual auction at 9:30 a.m. The proceeds will benefit 20 non-profit agencies that operate in Randolph County.

Applause to the Leading Creek Volunteer Fire Department, which brought its fire engine to several local schools Thursday to allow students to climb inside the fire truck and see how it operates. Each student also received a gift bag filled with pencils, crayons, a fire education coloring book and a firefighter hat in celebration of the U.S. Fire Administration’s 2017 Fire Prevention Week.

Applause to two local women who spoke to members of Congress recently, advocating for increased federal funding and research to help stop cancer. Judy Schoonover Ritchie, of Elkins, and Annette Fetty Santilli, of Barbour County, traveled to Washington, D.C., as part of the annual American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Leadership Summit and Lobby Day last month. Ritchie called the lobbying event a success, in that they were able to meet with a range of leaders and share their important message.

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