Fayette eyes Ruby Center as welcome center, economic office

Sep. 30—Fayette County commissioners aim to have a new welcome/economic development center up and running along U.S. 19 by April 1, 2024.

The commission and the Boy Scouts of America earlier this year signed an agreement that went into effect Aug. 31 which allows the county commission to lease the J.W. and Hazel Ruby West Virginia Welcome Center in Mount Hope. Under the agreement, the Fayette County Commission will lease the property from the BSA for $1 a year on a year-by-year basis.

BSA will pay about $3,800 per month for utilities, Louisos said, according to the lease. "Anything above that that we use (would be the county's responsibility)," Fayette County Commission President Tom Louisos said.

Louisos said the decision to accept the building through the lease agreement was a no-brainer.

"This is a $10 to $12 million building," Louisos said, also noting its prime location. "How could you turn that down."

Louisos envisions transforming the Ruby facility into a welcome center and economic development center. Ahead of the 2024 opening date targeted by commissioners, a lot of legwork must be done to figure out what agencies might utilize the building, and in what capacity. Louisos and county administrator Ruth Lanier have met with local CVB and economic development representatives in recent weeks to discuss potential plans and funding.

For a potential funding stream, Louisos said he has asked the CVBs to "utilize some of their funding" to assist in the effort. Local hotel-motel tax allotment revenues to the CVBs combined is about $650,000 a year, he said.

The commissioner said his idea is for all to come together and utilize the Ruby Welcome Center as a means to get out the word about Fayette County and southern West Virginia. "There's not another location that's going to be able to handle 200 to 300 cars a day," he said. "People with an RV can't stop at the Oak Hill or Fayetteville CVB locations right now."

"Our business is recreation," Louisos added. "Most people have campers or RVs. That's what we're in the business for."

Under his planned scenario, the front part of the building would be dedicated to CVBs, while the back portion would be utilized for economic development.

Are you suggesting all those entities cease operations at their current sites, he was asked by a reporter. "No, no. That would be up to them. We just asked them how they can help fund this. To me, it's the place to be."

If funding isn't forthcoming from the various boards of the CVBs and economic development groups, he says, "I'll go to the commission." State funding could also be sought, he said.

In addition to information to visitors to the area and work on economic development, Louisos said another potential plan is having an artisan area, as well as hosting a display to possibly list residential properties and/or a development map to include a look at recreational opportunities. "We're looking to redevelop this county."

Louisos said in mid-August he is currently developing a budget for the center.

In recent years, the commission has sought to hold the BSA accountable for the return of more tax revenue to county coffers for activities occurring on the Summit Bechtel Reserve site.

"About a year, year and a half ago, we (commission) were really pushing about the hotel-motel tax and the other tax that they're permitted to pay, and before that, they weren't really coming forward and paying that," Louisos said. "But, after we talked to them a few times, they're now paying motel-hotel tax (at the same rate as other lodging businesses) and also paying the other tax that they're required by the state to pay.

"We've negotiated for the last six months to a year on numerous things to try to help bring revenue and utilize their property that they're not utilizing to showcase Fayette County, to bring other tax (revenue)."

"We asked them that, since they're not utilizing this place, and we asked about utilizing this for a Fayette County welcome center and development office," he continued. "There was some negotiations, and we came to an agreement."

In the lease, the BSA will use the facility during Jamborees and other special events. "We'll accommodate each other to work together," Louisos said.

The commissioner also mentioned two other undisclosed projects, as well, that would "increase revenue in Fayette County."

----Visit Southern West Virginia is a nine-county regional convention and visitors bureau covering Raleigh, Fayette, Nicholas, Wyoming, Monroe, Summers, McDowell, Greenbrier and Mercer counties. The organization represents and markets the region as a visitor-friendly destination for vacations, group tours, meetings, events, etc., according to executive director Lisa Strader.

The primary offices are on Harper Road in Beckley, but the CVB also has "a long-standing relationship with Tamarack Marketplace, where we have an information desk where we have the opportunity to welcome thousands of visitors each year," said Strader. "We are lucky to not only have an incredible region to promote, we also have incredible partners," she continued. "We partner with Fayette County, the New River Gorge CVB and Visit Fayetteville to cover that portion of our coverage area.

"This is done through marketing, cooperative advertising and representation at both domestic and international showcases, events and conferences, brochure distribution and working together in general to support tourism in our state, region, county and city. Our board and staff are always open to discussion on how we can better serve our partners, our membership and the travelers who are coming to West Virginia."

Last month, Strader acknowledged speaking with representatives from Fayette County, the New River Gorge CVB and the New River Gorge Regional Development Authority to "discuss ways that we could all work together to take advantage of the location of the Ruby Center and the traffic that we see on Route 19." She labeled those discussions as being in the "very early stages, and at this time there have been no definitive decisions made."

Becky Sullivan, executive director of the New River Gorge CVB/Fayette County Chamber of Commerce, said, "We have had preliminary conversations with a county commissioner regarding the Ruby Welcome Center and how the CVB can be involved and assist with a potential visitors center for the area."

The New River Gorge CVB is located in Oak Hill and also doubles as the office for the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce.

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