ELKINS — The Randolph County Development Authority approved a rule change this week that will allow alcoholic beverages to be served and consumed in Elkins Town Square.

RCDA executive director Robbie Morris told The Inter-Mountain that only beer and wine would be permitted to be distributed or sold at events, and that it would be restricted to the Town Square proper, which is the concrete area in front of the stage behind the Elkins Railyard Depot.

“Alcohol won’t be allowed at the depot or any of the other areas around there,” Morris said. “It will basically be allowed on the concrete area that makes up Town Square, on the west side of the railroad tracks.”

Morris said the rule change is in response to the increased use of Town Square and the desire of organizations and individuals to have beer or wine served at festivals, concerts, weddings and other events.

“The RCDA will be working with our legal counsel to change all of the rules, forms, agreements and insurance requirements to make this a reality,” Morris said. “So after the first of the year, organizations and individuals that want to rent Town Square and serve beer and wine, can do so.”

Morris had said in the past that changing the alcohol rule would also be beneficial to the 16,000-square foot conference and events center the RCDA is planning to build in the Town Square area.

The event center was awarded a $5.4 million grant from the Federal Economic Development Administration in August to help with the construction of the center, which will also include a multi-tenant commercial building. Work on the event center is expected to begin sometime in 2023.

During this week’s meeting, the RCDA also approved allowing this year’s Fourth of July Fireworks Display to be shot off from a designated location within the Elkins Railyard.

In recent years, Fourth of July fireworks have been shot off next to the Elkins Water Treatment Plant that sits atop the city at the end of High Street.

Our Town Inc., which is in charge of putting on the display in 2023, requested the change in location in an attempt to make the event bigger and better for those attending.

In recent weeks Our Town has been working with the RCDA to come up with a safe location at the southern end of the Elkins Railyard for the event. Morris said a location has been selected and that details will be finalized after approval from the State Fire Marshall and Elkins Fire Department.

“The RCDA is appreciative of the efforts from Our Town to put together wonderful events for our community,” Morris said. “We are always eager to help in any way we can and we look forward to working with Our Town to ensure a great Fourth of July Fireworks Show.”