HOUSE RESOLUTION 14
(By Delegates Browning and Amos)
[March 28, 2025; Referredto the committee on Energy and Public Worksthen Rules ]
Requesting that the County Commission of Wayne County in West Virginia approve the allocation of up to $10,000 to fund the county's portion of a feasibility study for the construction of a connector road between Beech Fork State Park campground and marina, urging collaboration between the Wayne County Commission and the Kentucky – Ohio – West Virginia Interstate Planning Commission (KYOVA) for the additional funds, and expressing support for the project.
Whereas, Delegate Ryan Browning, representing the interests of Wayne County and the State of West Virginia, recognizes the critical role of economic development and tourism in fostering prosperity for Wayne County and its residents; and
Whereas, Beech Fork State Park, encompassing a 720-acre lake and over 3,000 acres of recreational land, stands as a vital asset to the region’s tourism economy, drawing visitors for camping, boating, fishing, and hiking, and generating millions of dollars annually for local businesses and communities; and
Whereas, The campground and marina at Beech Fork Lake, though separated by the lake, represent key recreational hubs with significant potential to increase visitor traffic, encourage longer stays, and boost spending at local establishments, including the Beech Fork Marina, eateries, and retail outlets; and
Whereas, The construction of a connector road linking the Beech Fork State Park campground to the marina has been identified as a transformative project capable of enhancing accessibility, spurring job creation, and amplifying tourism-related revenue, thereby driving sustainable economic growth in Wayne County; and
Whereas, The Wayne County Commission President Travis Thompson has underscored the economic promise of this connector road, stating that it would "dramatically help move the ball forward" by improving connectivity within the park and strengthening its appeal as a premier destination in West Virginia; and
Whereas, The project offers additional benefits, including enhanced emergency response capabilities, as noted by B.J. Willis, Wayne County’s 911 director and emergency manager, who highlighted that the road would halve the response time for the Lavalette Volunteer Fire Department to reach the campground, improving safety and visitor confidence; and
Whereas, The KYOVA Interstate Planning Commission has pledged 90% of the funding, amounting to $90,000, for a feasibility study to evaluate the viability of this connector road, contingent upon a 10% match of up to $10,000 from Wayne County; and
Whereas, Delegate Ryan Browning believes that this feasibility study represents a pivotal step toward unlocking the economic potential of Beech Fork Lake, positioning Wayne County to attract more visitors from nearby Huntington, Barboursville, and beyond, while supporting local commerce and diversifying the region’s economic foundation; therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Delegates:
That Delegate Ryan Browning, on behalf of the West Virginia House of Delegates, urges the Wayne County Commission to approve the allocation of up to $10,000 to fund the county’s portion of a feasibility study for the construction of a connector road between the Beech Fork State Park campground and marina; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the House of Delegates encourages collaboration between the Wayne County Commission and the KYOVA Interstate Planning Commission to secure the additional $90,000 in funding and to expeditiously conduct the feasibility study; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the West Virginia House of Delegates, through this resolution, expresses its support for leveraging the study’s findings to advance the construction of the connector road, with the aim of promoting economic development, increasing tourism revenue, creating jobs, and enhancing the quality of life for the citizens of Wayne County and the State of West Virginia; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates forward a copy of this Resolution to the County Commission of Wayne County in West Virginia.