The Putnam County Commission approved a resolution of support at its April 29 meeting of a grant application by the Putnam County Development Authority which grant would provide funding for the purpose of widening an access road at the Fraziers Bottom industrial park. The grant, if approved, could make up to $400,000 in unmatched funds and $150,000 in matching funds available for the project. The grant would be through both the WV Development Office and the WV Department of Transportation. The resolution states that widening of the access road would result in expanded service wire manufacturing and distribution operations, hiring more staff, and enable increased production and availability of U.S. manufactured cabling products.

The commission also approved extending an agreement with the Kanawha County Humane Association to oversee operations at the Putnam County Animal Shelter for a two-month period. The animal shelter remains without a director.

The commission voted to enter into a representation agreement with Goodwin & Goodwin in legal proceedings against the Pilot Travel Center in Nitro. Goodwin & Goodwin presents Nitro Construction Services (NCS). Both NCS and Putnam County have issues with Pilot TC concerning traffic issues which could be but have not been addressed by the truck stop. NCS and Pilot are neighbors and share access to First Avenue in Nitro.

Commissioner Andy Skidmore said that truckers who are under contract to use Pilot discover, upon exiting I-64, that the travel center is full and there is no turnaround provision. Traffic becomes parallelized for extended periods. The Putnam County Sheriff has asked Pilot to put a sign before the exit showing when the lot is full, but the center has not responded to the request.

The representation agreement does not involve financial obligation to the county or possible dollar settlement award. A favorable settlement will mean improved traffic flow on First Avenue in Nitro.

In other business, the commission approved the following appointments: David Coll, Rob Vanater, and Drew Pack to the Dilapidated and Abandoned Enforcement Authority (DAEA); and Jason Baker to the Putnam County Planning Board.

The commission will next meet on Tuesday, May 13.