West Virginia Economic Development Authority Executive Director Kris Warner knows of the importance of infrastructure. He knows of the importance of public-private partnerships.

 

For Warner, it is a positive side effect of the position he holds.

 

On Tuesday, Warner was in Bridgeport to take part in a luncheon and a subsequent groundbreaking for an $11 million project at Charles Pointe Crossing that covers both of those areas. The project involves a 1,400-foot extension of Haden Boulevard. Haden Boulevard is the primary roadway into Charles Pointe Cross that runs directly into Menards.

 

“This is a special project for West Virginia and the EDA,” said Warner who trumpeted the aforementioned importance of infrastructure as well as seeing groups work together to make it happen.

 

As for the infrastructure, the new four-lane roadway begins in an area just past where the future $24 million Mon Harrison Neighborhood Hospital will be located. The project will include minimal site grading, installation of curb and gutter, sidewalks, streetlights, as well utilities such as electric, gas, and telecom. There will also be stream and wetland mitigation as part of the effort.

 

“Pretty much everything you see is being extended out,” said Genesis Partners’ Director of Planning and Engineering Rob Stuart recently to Connect-Bridgeport about the project. It will be extended closer to the property that is located behind the northbound Interstate 79 rest areas.

 

Genesis Partners is the developer of Charles Pointe.

 

As for the private-public piece of the project, it actually involves the WVEDA that Warner is in charge of. The partnership involves the WVEDA, Clear Mountain Bank, and Genesis Partners. The $11 million loan from Clear Mountain Bank will be guaranteed by the WVEDA and allow for a lower interest rate.

 

Genesis Partners Managing Member Jamie Corton said there is a little history involving Tim Stout, who sits on the bank’s advisory board, actually helped with the very first loan Genesis Partners utilized in the infancy stages of Charles Pointe.

 

Mark Dellana, the executive director of development of Genesis Partners said the emphasis on infrastructure is inherent. He pointed to the owner of the acreage that makes up Charles Pointe – the late C.E. “Jim” Compton.

 

Dellana told a story of Compton, decades ago during the first term of the late Gov. Cecil Underwood. He invited him to lunch, and Underwood found out the lunch was with President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

 

The discussion? Infrastructure, in the form of a roadway, for the middle of the Mountain State. The roadway would eventually become Interstate 79. Dellana also added that Compton was a player in the creation of the West Virginia Air Center in the 1990s. That company, and a few others, paved the way for the massive aerospace complex in place today.

 

Dellana and Corton emphasized none of what is in place today takes place without Interstate 79 and the need for more housing and business is also a result of the massive growth at the North Central West Virginia Airport and its aerospace sector.

 

Now, Corton said, the growth can continue.

 

“This project will lead to a half a billion dollars in development in the next 10 years,” said Corton.

 

Following the luncheon, officials on hand – as well as others – gathered at the site for the ceremonial groundbreaking at Charles Pointe Crossing. Charles Pointe Crossing is located on 279 just off I-79 Exit 124.

 

Laurita, Inc. out of Morgantown is the contractor.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows WVEDA Executive Director Kris Warner, while Mark Dellana of Genesis Partners in shown in the second photo. Third image shows Genesis Partners officials as part of the groundbreaking. Photo below is all of the officials gathered that took part in the event.