West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin has signed House Bill 4009. The bill allows counties to propose and fund road projects by imposing a sales tax that would not exceed 1 percent. The Morgantown Area Chamber of Commerce’s Transportation Committee worked closely with members of the Monongalia County legislative delegation to develop and pass the bill, as the tax must be approved by local referendum and can only be used for road development. In Monongalia County the program has the potential to fund hundreds of millions in highway and road projects and address the first fifteen projects on the Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) transportation plan.
Dan Kimble, President of the Morgantown area Chamber of Commerce, said this is the type of success you can experience when the community works together. “Area economic development organizations, the Greater Morgantown Convention & Visitors Bureau, county and municipal leaders, the MPO and countless leaders from across the business community are working together for a better Monongalia County. This bill is an important step in addressing our needs. Now the real work begins,” he said. Kimble also thanked Brian Helmick of Spilman Thomas & Battle and Jason Donahue of FEOH Realty for their work in developing the bill and supporting its purpose.
Kimble recognized members of the Mon County Legislative Delegation for their combined effort to advance and pass the bill. Delegate Joe Statler said, “Monongalia County now has a tool in its toolbox that will allow it to fix its road and transportation issues. The community now has to decide if it wants to move forward and commit to supporting our growing population and economy.”
“The Chamber, the MPO and all interested parties will now work together to develop a concrete plan for the referendum that addresses our growing transportation challenges. It’s our single greatest need as a community,” said Billy Atkins, of Counsel with Bowles Rice, Chamber Board Member and member of the Transportation Committee.
The Morgantown Area Chamber of Commerce provides leadership through member engagement, business advocacy and civic partnerships to strengthen our community and business environment. For more information on the Morgantown Area Chamber of Commerce please call (304) 292-3311 or online at morgantownchamber.org.
