At a work session which preceded Monday night’s Bridgeport City Council meeting, Amy Haberbosch Wilson shared her role and vision as Harrison County Economic Development Corporation’s new executive director.

 

The organization, Wilson said, markets Harrison County and serves as a network to join community member organizations – from educational facilities and businesses of all sizes to area convention and visitors’ bureaus.

 

Headquartered at 520 West Main Street in Clarksburg, the HCEDC just finished a strategic plan, taking an in-depth look at how to achieve its goals.

 

“It’s been a busy four months, but it had to be done for our three-year mark,” Wilson said. “We only have two years left to decide what we’re going to be.”

 

An interactive Web site has been established and when fully completed, a kickoff will be held, Wilson said. The entity is reaching out to the community to gather feedback, asking what roles they would like the HCEDC to serve.

 

Wilson said marketing our community is easy for her as she believes in it. She is a graduate of West Virginia University and Fairmont State University, working in Columbus and Phoenix before returning to Harrison County.

 

“I love seeing millennials and my adult children believe in it as well. I want to market Harrison County and this is the time,” she said. “There is so much going on.”

 

Wilson said she believes it’s important to share resources with Marion, Monongalia and other nearby counties. She also said the HCEDC is partnering with the Mid-Atlantic Aerospace Complex to do a feasibility study and through receipt of an EDA grant, will partner with MAC on a project of a greater scope.

 

The North Central West Virginia Airport serves as a hub, of sorts, for the HCEDC, as it is connected to several different projects.

 

Councilman John Wilson commented that the oil and gas industry, as well as welding and surveying companies, are providing jobs and therefore reason for young people to stay, live and work in the immediate area.

 

Amy Wilson said she would like to see the HCEDC sponsor apprenticeships with those opportunities, an addition to or as an alternative to traditional college education.

 

Developing industry is key to development, she said.

 

The HCEDC annual membership meeting is July 18 at United Hospital Center featuring a “Socioeconomics” topic and guest speakers Kelly Nelson, M.D. and attorney, Bob Steptoe.

 

Wilson said she would like to come back to Bridgeport City Council in October and provide an update. City Manager Kim Haws serves on the HCEDC board. 

 

Access the HCEDC Web site HERE.

 

Editor's Note: Pictured from top: City Attorney Dean Ramsey, City Manager Kim Haws, Amy Haberbosch Wilson, executive director for Harrison County Economic Development Corporation and Councilman Dustin Vincent; Vincent, City Clerk Shelby Watkins and Mayor Andy Lang; City Recorder Hank Murray, Councilman Lowell Maxey and Councilman Jeff Smell.