West Virginia investing in roads, water in hopes of attracting new industry to Boone County

West Virginia is investing millions of dollars in roads, water and sewer infrastructure at a former Boone County strip mine in an effort to attract new industry.

A multimillion-dollar highway connector in Boone County is expected to play a role in improving water service across the region with the hope of drawing more business to southern West Virginia.

West Virginia investing in roads, water in hopes of attracting new industry to Boone County

Robert Fields | WVOW News

SPURLOCKVILLE A $19 million bridge and interchange now connect U.S. 19 with the Rock Creek Industrial Park, the former Hobet strip mine, along the Boone-Lincoln County line. Another $10 million has been cleared to provide water and sewer service to the area.

Boone County Public Service District Chair Terry Harless said the district is already stretched thin because its customers are spread across separate areas. He said the PSD currently provides sewer service to about 1,700 customers in two areas that are not close together, making it difficult to operate efficiently.

Harless said having more customers would allow the district to operate more efficiently.

The investment comes as West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey has been highlighting problems with providing safe water across the state. Morrisey said residents have told him what is working, what is not working and where they are frustrated.

At Rock Creek, the question is whether building the infrastructure first will help bring industry to the site later.

The bridge does not guarantee a factory. Water and sewer service do not guarantee jobs or economic growth. But supporters say without those basic services, potential industries may never consider Boone County and could instead look farther south along U.S. 19.