Community Development Projects

Hampshire County Development Authority

"Steeped in Tradition & Prepared for Transition" in Hampshire County, West Virginia

In addition to dedicating a major share of its development efforts to business sites and industrial parks, the Hampshire County Development Authority has also been involved in community development, visitor development, and quality of life projects, exhibited by the following examples.

The Fort Mill Ridge Historical Site (left) and Wellness Center are both HCDA community projects.

Infrastructure Revolving Loan Fund

Description: The $150,000 Infrastructure Fund provides loans to community infrastructure projects, such as infrastructure repairs, water line extensions, and upgrades to Public Service Districts’ water/sewer treatment facilities.

HCDA’s Role: The HCDA offers loans to public service districts, and upon receipt of loan repayments, extends loan offers to other projects.

Hampshire County
Wellness & Fitness Center

Hampshire County Wellness & Fitness Center

Location: 1000 Heritage Circle- Sunrise Summit

Description: The Hampshire County Wellness & Fitness Center is an integral part of a new hotel, conference, and wellness complex located just east of Romney in the Sunrise Summit area of Hampshire County. This 22,000 sq. ft., $7.9 million state-of-the-art wellness center will blend a personal and group recreational fitness setting with extensive clinical and therapeutic offerings to keep Hampshire County residents healthy and active. Fitness facilities will include an indoor track, swimming pool, weight machines, and aerobic exercise area. Specialized activities will be offered for all ages and interests.

HCDA’s Role: The HCDA financed a study to assess needed services in the county, designed the facility, partnered with Valley Health Systems who will manage the facility, and acquired grants and loans for construction.

Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad

Location: The South Branch Valley Railroad, running along the scenic South Branch of the Potomac River from Green Spring to Petersburg, boards passengers at Wappocomo Station, along Route 28, just north of Romney.

Description: Some 16 years ago, the Potomac Eagle scenic railroad made its inaugural run up the South Branch through the “Trough,” where bald eagles soar, and into the upper South Branch Valley of Hardy and Grant counties. Despite two major flood events in the 1980s and 1990s, the Potomac Eagle has persevered, thriving as has its namesake in our beautiful South Branch Valley.

HCDA’s Role: Provided general support for the Potomac Eagle as a county business and obtained tourism grant funding to found and maintain the enterprise.

Logo

Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad

Ticket Car at Wappocomo Station

Historic Railroad Car Restoration

Description:
Thus far, two historic rail road cars have been restored. Located at the Potomac Eagle Scenic Excursion Train’s Wappocomo station, one car is used as a museum and the other as a gift shop, featuring pieces by the local South Branch Artisans.

HCDA’s role: The HCDA obtained a federal grant through the WV Department of Transportation to restore these relics of past transportation.

Fort Edwards French & Indian War Fort and frontier homestead

Location: Springfield Grade/Coldstream Road, ½ mile north of Route 50 outside Capon Bridge.

Description: The site contained the home of early settler Joseph Edwards, a landowner, farmer, road construction overseer, and Justice of the Peace. During the French & Indian War, a fort was built at the site, coming under General George Washington’s control between 1755 and 1758 as one of a string of Virginia frontier forts. A major battle took place there in 1756, resulting in the deaths of 17 British allied soldiers.
The 23- acre site is operated by the Fort Edwards Foundation, a citizens group, and contains a Visitor Center. Although neither the home nor fort remain, a 2001 archaeological dig uncovered over 7,000 artifacts and portions of the stockade walls.

HCDA’s Role: The HCDA pursued grant funds to help purchase, protect, research, and exhibit Fort Edwards.

Fort Edwards artifacts

Fort Edwards Visitors Center
Fort Edwards Visitors' Center

Fort Mill Ridge Civil War Trenches

Location: Two miles west of Romney along Route 50.

Description: The Fort Mill Ridge site contains some of the best preserved Civil War trenches in the nation. Constructed in 1863 by Union Colonel Jacob M. Campbell and his troops, the site overlooks Mechanicsburg Gap and was instrumental in defending the South Branch Valley and the B&O Railroad that supplied the Union army.
The site has been restored by the Fort Mill Ridge Foundation and is open to the public, offering informational signs, a museum, and walking trails.

HCDA’s Role: The HCDA acquired grant money to restore the trenches, place informational signs, establish a museum, and build trails and a paved driveway to the site.

Hampshire County Farmland Protection Board

Description:
The Hampshire County Farmland Protection Board (HCFPB) strives to protect the agricultural community of Hampshire County through preservation of farmland. The HCFPB aids landowners in voluntarily placing development restrictions on their properties, so our farmland and its associated agricultural activities can continue to supply agriculture products, support agricultural businesses, enhance tourism, and share scenic landscapes without fear of development pressure from urban expansion.

HCDA’s role: The Executive Director of the Development Authority is a required member of the HCFPB and aids in aligning the interests of farmland protection and economic development.

South Branch Valley Farm

Cacapon River Valley Farm