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Green Jobs Task Force

(An ad hoc committee of MCDA) provides a forum for identifying and enabling efforts to create jobs. Led by former County Commissioner Wayne Spiggle, discussions include education/training for green jobs (in conjunction with Mineral County Board of Education), insulation/weatherization of private homes (with Region 8) and providing information supporting locally grown foods.

Mineral County Comprehensive Plan

Cover
Contents
Section 1
Section 2
Section 3
Section 4
Section 5
Section 6
Section 7
Section 8
Recommendations
Apendix

Possible Development

Region I: Northern End

• Potomac River Municipalities – Carpendale and Ridgeley

• Airport – Greater Cumberland Regional Airport located in Wiley Ford (unincorporated)

• Under a multi-million dollar upgrade to improve air safety and service
• Individual and commercial hangars available
• Restaurant and aircraft detailing currently available
• Flight instruction by Marathon Aviation Club
• Current use by Experimental Aircraft Association and Maryland State Police
• Aviation Medevac
• Reduced taxes for business aircraft at the facility

• Short Gap/Fort Ashby

• Residential, agribusiness and technology
• Large Federal Reserve with government contracts which employs 1540 people from entry level to high technology
• Green business/technology park which houses manufacturer with world-wide clientele

• Development Possibilities:

1. Air, rail and ground transport improvement/ development
2. Site locations at the Fort Ashby Business/Technology Park
3. Spur trail to connect with the C&O Canal Tow Path and CSX property available for recreational and economic initiatives
4. Truck farming
5. High demand for housing construction

Region II: Mid-County

• Manufacturing Municipalities
  • Piedmont/Keyser
    
    • Keyser Industrial Park (one of the first in West Virginia
    • New Page Paper Mill with 995 employees - located in Luke, Maryland across Potomac River with facilities in Piedmont, West Virginia)
  • New Creek Valley – located between Interstate 68 and Corridor H (10 miles away)

• Development Possibilities:

1. Up-grade of Route 220 the north/south connector with Interstate 68
2. Route 50 historical highway
3. Housing and tourism development associated with high traffic roadways
4. Poultry and truck farming

Region III: Eastern End

• Rural area with focus on agribusiness

• Burlington – unincorporated town on the National Historical Register - houses United Methodist Children’s Home and sponsor of the Apple Harvest Festival

• Antioch – birthplace of mother of Abraham Lincoln

• Traveller’s Rest on Route 50 – 1800's stage stop on original Northwestern Turnpike

• Development Possibilities:

• Historical restoration
• Housing and tourism associated with historical area high traffic area
• Residential development
• Continued agriculture development

Region IV: Southern End

• Elk Garden – small community very active in development and protection of small community growth and development

  • Rural area with focus on timber and wood products, wind energy, and agriculture

• Jennings Randolph Lake – boating, camping, lodging, hiking, swimming

• US Wind Force – construction of 23 wind turbines 

• Storm Mountain Training Center -  specialized training to law enforcement and government agencies from around the world

• Development Possibilities

• Tourism for outdoor recreation including lodging and services
• Hydro-electric energy
• Green jobs in timbering, agriculture and energy production