West Virginia’s agriculture commission hinted that Tucker County could be on track to host a canning facility by 2015. This facility would be at the former home of the Davis Center at the entrance to Blackwater Falls State Park could be part of a statewide agriculture initiative.
Last week, Commissioner Walt Helmick debuted the West Virginia Department of Agriculture Farm potato processing plant. The Huttonsville facility will distribute West Virginia-grown potatoes to state institutions, farmers markets and public schools.
This facility is a part of Helmick’s plan to establish an aggregation network to help farmers and consumers. One of the next steps will be to open a cannery so that local food can be enjoyed by West Virginians year round. This is where Tucker County will play a key role. If all goes well, the former gymnasium at the Davis Center will be the site for a canning facility for local agriculture.
Helmick says federal agricultural officials estimate that West Virginians consume more than $7 billion annually in food, yet the state produces significantly less than $1 billion of that total. He called that a $6 million opportunity.
“This is the greatest economic development project we have in West Virginia right now. It’s up to us to capitalize on it.”
To be chosen to play a role in the state’s vision for agriculture is another feather in the for Tucker County. It has been a positive year for the county that was just honored for having the best business growth in the state last month. Tucker continues to prove itself as a county that works together towards common goals.
Last years Day at the Legislature included a meeting with Commissioner Helmick and his office in Charleston. This meeting was led by Roxanne Tuesing from Taste of Tucker and WVU Extension Agent Jennifer Poling where they stressed the opportunities throughout the county and sense of innovation and cooperation that has been seen in the Farmers Markets,the Farm to School Program and the Potomac Highlands Food and Farm Initiative.
Finding a tennant for the site of the Davis Center is another example of different groups working together for a common goal. This past summer, Dan Dilly, Superintendent of the Kenneth “Honey” Rubenstein Center provided a tour of the vacant buildings to members of the Economic Development Authority. Patrick Darlington, Vice President of the Development Authority, was pleased to see the progress since that meeting. “This is a great example of working together to bring more jobs to the county.”
Director of the Development Authority, Anne Jones, said “This land a project like this should give all of us and great sense of pride and I look forward to celebrating the official announcement at our Tucker County Day in Charleston on February 11,2015
