BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – In Mercer County a $250 million project called the “The Ridges” was the focus of a public hearing on Tuesday.
The Mercer County Commission approved a measure that will expand a special tax zone that will be home to The Ridges. The site for the special zone, called an economic opportunity development district, was expanded by 30 acres.
Mercer County Delegate Jordan Maynor who also works closely with the Mercer County Economic Development Authority says the special district excise tax will be used to help fund the development.
“The way these taxing districts work is anytime there’s development the taxes get to remain in Mercer County for this project and for the growth of this project. It’s really a great financing tool and that’s why we did this today,” said Maynor.
Maynor says The Ridges will be located on nearly 400 acres off of I-77′s Exit 9. He says the land part of the district’s expansion is still privately owned and the expansion plans ahead for future development of the land.
Some of the public in attendance of Tuesday’s meeting shared some concerns. Those include increased traffic and an increased risk for flooding due to construction.
“If you don’t keep it up it could contain water. It could be an area that has a lot of moisture problems and could be considered marshlands. I don’t think it’s ever been designated that but it could be considered that,” said Allen Muzzleman.
Maynor says multiple traffic studies have been done on the area and a number of proposals are on the table for the area to prevent any congestion. He adds that engineers are also being required to address the possibility for flooding as well as other local concerns.
“As far as capacity concerns for water, sewer, power, the infrastructure. We have accommodated for that, we have mitigated that,” said Maynor. “There will be plenty of excess capacity to do this project and make sure that homeowners and others out there don’t get impacted.”
Maynor says right now the development authority is putting a financing package together that includes negotiations with investors to fund The Ridges.
Copyright 2024 WVVA. All rights reserved.