The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Local News

May 19, 2009

Convention bureau hails $141 million benefit of economic jolt

Mannix Porterfield

If you think the tourism business is about to take a nosedive in this recession, check in with Doug Maddy.

Admittedly, things looked grim a few months ago, the director of the Southern West Virginia Convention and Visitors Bureau told the Raleigh County Commission in a Tuesday meeting.

“We anticipated a terrible year,” he acknowledged.

Now that spring is in full stride, however, Maddy spoke glowingly on the tourist season and predicted another healthy summer.

“People are still traveling,” he said. “The American life is to take a vacation. I think it’s going to get better.”

Maddy presented the commission with an oversized check for $141 million, saying it represents the economic jolt that tourism has proved to be in this region.

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In another matter, Prosecutor Kristen Keller, on a brief break from a murder trial, gained the commission’s approval for two new employees — victim advocate Sonya Smith and assistant prosecutor John Gallaher.

Commissioners studied a preliminary plan by the city of Beckley to annex a Taco Bell in the Galleria and approved a $2,000 grant for a DUI program.

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In other matters, the commission:

- Approved a $296 drawdown for the Dry Hill-Prosperity Community Center.

- Passed a resolution in support of high-speed broadband access.

- Accepted a $74,634 drawdown for the Homeland Security mass migration program.

- Approved a $57,760 funding contract for the Beckley-Raleigh County Board of Health.

- Approved a $28,500 drawdown for the Mountain State Centers for Independent Living and a drawdown of $4,131.43 for the Pine Haven Shelter.

- Awarded a contract of $18,995 to J.H. Holt of Beckley for an air conditioning unit in the tax office of the sheriff’s department.

- Put under review the following bids for a switchgear at the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center: Bluestone Electric of Beaver, $58,000; Hughes Supply of Beaver, $47,753; Lowe Brothers Electric, also of Beckley, $47,626; Summit Electric of Hurricane, $29,980; and Cook Electric of Eccles, $32,962.82.

- Agreed to review bids of $39,000 by Walker Engine and $45,474 by Lowe Brothers for a mobile generator with a trailer.

— E-mail:

mannix@register-herald.com

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