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ELKINS -- Randolph County Development Authority Director Robbie Morris recently provided an RCDA update during an Elkins-Randolph County Chamber of Commerce function at Davis & Elkins College.
Among the things Morris talked about at the "Biscuits, Gravy & Business" event at Halliehurst Mansion, was the proposed Event Center that will be located behind the Elkins Railroad Depot.
"It's been a very busy time at the Randolph County Development Authority here lately, all for good things," said Morris. "First I will talk about the Event Center. What started out as a 16,000 square foot facility has rapidly grown into a little over 28,000 square feet. It's somewhere in the neighborhood of a $13 million project, but everything is going really well with that and we appreciate all the partners that are helping make that happen."
The facility will be constructed in proximity to the Elkins Railyard Depot, behind the Rotary Amphitheater. The Thrasher Group is the architecture and engineering firm that's been hired for the project.
The RCDA plans on putting the project out to bid during the fourth quarter of 2023, and to begin construction in the first quarter of 2024. The RCDA is hoping for a grand opening in the second quarter of 2025.
Morris then talked about 22nd Century Technologies Inc., which is a secured Managed Services Facility located in the former Reidbord Building on Wilson Lane. IBEX Global was the last company to work out of the site.
"They are doing very well," Morris said of the company. "They were recently awarded more contracts, so hiring will continue over there and the workforce will be the limit on potential growth there."
Morris revealed that the West Virginia Wood Technology Center recently hired a new instructor at the facility.
"The new hiring will increase our capacity to instruct students for workforce development projects," said Morris. "We are really excited about that opportunity and Bryce Manolidis is the new instructor -- we are excited to have him on board."
Morris also talked about a potential business that has shown interest in manufacturing in the new section of the Randolph County Industrial Park. He couldn't elaborate on what type of business it was, but said he was excited that companies are already showing interest in the property.
"We really haven't even really begun marketing the property," he said. "And yet somehow people found out about it and are wanting to get in on that project. So we are excited in that regard."
In early 2022, the RCDA purchased a 71-acre tract of land that is situated across the street from the IOOF home on Georgetown Road. The property is being developed as an expansion of the current Industrial Park.
"Overall, the state of the Randolph County economy is doing very well," said Morris. "There are a lot of other projects that you will be hearing about later on, both in and around Elkins. We are really excited about all the positivity we have going on within our area."