May 27, 2026
The Greenbrier Valley EDC (GVEDC) is an economic development authority (EDA) tasked with supporting business and economic growth to create and retain jobs in our region. This business support takes many forms – from connecting businesses to resources and incentives to supporting infrastructure projects that allow economic growth.
As part of state code, EDAs have broad authority to acquire, sell, lease, and otherwise dispose of real and personal property to meet economic objectives.
GVEDC was asked to assist the Pocahontas County Solid Waste Authority (SWA) transfer station project for this reason. The SWA concluded that a transfer station was in the best interest of the county’s solid waste objectives but did not have the cash or the capacity to bid out, finance or oversee the construction of the project upfront. And they proposed a different route.
The proposed deal was for SWA to transfer 2-3 acres of land to GVEDC. GVEDC would then enter into a ground lease for JacMal. JacMal would design, construct, finance the transfer station, as well as be responsible for the maintenance of the crane for a period of 15 years. JacMal would lease the transfer station to the SWA for operation for 15 years. At the end of that lease, the property would then revert back to the SWA.
We were asked to be involved in the SWA transfer station project by holding the property identified for the proposed facility, with the goal of reducing SWA’s overall leasing costs. With GVEDC as owner, the project would not be subject to approximately $250,000 of property taxes (over 15 years) that would otherwise be passed onto the citizens.
It is not the GVEDC’s role to assess the solid waste authority’s decisions. That authority rests with the SWA appointed board. Our scope in the project was simply to reduce the cost of the project if it goes forward, which reduces additional costs that need to be recouped by customers of the green box system.* Other benefits of the project include:
- Assisting the SWA to achieve solid waste objectives with tight timelines. As Pocahontas County has a large tourism industry, keeping trash off the roadside supports the county’s leading industry.
- Retain 20+ jobs and create at least 2 additional jobs in the county in businesses directly involved in the project.
- Did not “reduce” tax revenues in the county or take anything away from the county or from the school system, as the property was currently tax exempt under SWA.
- Allowed SWA to lease to own a transfer station that would serve the county for 50+ years.
- Keeps investment local. Lease payments go to a local company that employs local people, and support other local businesses. These funds circulate in the local economy rather than one in another state or region.
The GVEDC voted to approve the MOU that laid out the expectations of the parties for the deal. The property has not been transferred and will only be transferred after environmental and legal review.
The SWA has now tabled the transfer station to evaluate alternatives received by the public and to sort out issues with the PSC on Certificate of Need requirements. The Greenbrier Valley EDC is also “paused” and will not accept the land transfer UNLESS all environmental and legal review is complete, which includes resolution of Certificate of Need issues. Until that time, we are on hold. If the project doesn’t clear these levels, we don’t take the property. On May 21st, the GVEDC board voted to keep the MOU in place, since our involvement only comes into play if this is indeed the decided option after all review.
I am happy to discuss any and all questions regarding our involvement. Our office phone is 304-497-4300 and my email is rbeezley@gvedc.com.
Ruthana Beezley
Executive Director
Greenbrier Valley EDC
Pocahontas County Resident
The above statement was published in the Pocahontas Times on May 27, 2026. Below are additional points for clarity:
*The original Letter Of Intent between JacMal and SWA stated “JacMal will acquire from PCSWA all right, title and interest in an approximately 2 to 3 acre parcel” and goes on to say that JacMal will enter into a triple-net lease with SWA. This means the property taxes that JacMal would be charged on the property would be passed on in the lease to SWA.
The project was not put out for competitive bid because the SWA did not have the funds or for design or construction. Financing options were explored, SWA concluded they were not viable.
