A coalition of 32 business owners from the small rural towns of Thomas and Davis in West Virginia have come together to advocate for the northern alignment of the proposed Corridor H highway section from Parsons to Davis, a move they believe is crucial to preserving the community’s integrity and local economy.
In a letter addressed to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, the business owners expressed their concerns about the currently recommended southern alignment (ROPA) for the 10-mile stretch of Corridor H between Parsons and Davis.
The group highlighted Buttigieg’s recent remarks on the impact of past highway construction that divided and damaged neighborhoods, emphasizing that the ROPA alignment would similarly sever links within their community and disrupt their thriving, sustainable tourism economy.
“We represent a thriving, sustainable tourism economy based on our assets: scenic beauty, the Blackwater River and Canyon, trails, wildlife, mountains, and charming small towns alive with art and music,” the letter stated. “A last-century highway design could be a fatal blow to our new economy here on the mountaintop.”
Attracting big business to the area would have a negative impact on the area, the coalition says.
“Dividing Thomas and Davis with a superhighway and the interchange with its associated corporate fast food, truck stops and big box stores will detract from existing small businesses that have spent decades creating and establishing our unique tourist-based economy,” said Matt Marcus, manager of Blackwater Bikes in Davis.
Tucker County, home to these small towns, boasts two state parks, a national forest, two wilderness areas and a national wildlife refuge, making it a prime destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The towns themselves are vibrant hubs of homegrown businesses, including coffee shops, art galleries, restaurants, specialty shops and the iconic live music venue, The Purple Fiddle.
“We have this beautiful area — Blackwater Falls State Park and these two terrific vital small towns of Thomas and Davis — with local, dedicated people who have worked hard to revitalize this area after the lumber and coal companies left,” said Linda Reeves, owner of The Studio Gallery in Thomas. “Now, a state agency that doesn’t seem to care what a treasure we have here wants to jam a four-lane freeway between our two towns, ridiculously close to Blackwater Falls State Park, and wreck the reason why people love to live and visit here. It does not make sense. We are not saying don’t build the road; we are just saying go north, a saner route that is a better route for the semi-trucks, too.”
Walt Ranalli, of Sirianni’s Café, has been a business owner in Davis for over 37 years.
“I see the northern route as the best plan for Corridor H,” Ranalli said. “It allows for two exits, one for Thomas and one for Davis, which has great potential for more business development and will safely get the large truck traffic off Route 32 and the busy Thomas Front Street. It has taken many years for these communities to build the business that now exists here from the tourism industry. It does not make sense to build a highway that could jeopardize the economy instead of enhancing the growth and development of the area.”
The business owners warned that the ROPA alignment would greatly compromise these local resources, potentially unleashing acid mine drainage into the North Fork of the Blackwater River and damaging a National Register-eligible historic district.
The coalition urged Buttigieg to support the northern alignment to protect the local economy and way of life and prevent the negative impacts associated with a poorly planned highway project. They stressed the need for modern and thoughtful highway designs that enhance, rather than harm, the communities they serve.
