DAVIS – Hints of the possibility of Tucker County being a location for a cannery have local officials optimistic, however, there is no set date when a selection for the facility’s home may be announced.
Carl “Butch” Antolini, communications director for Commissioner of Agriculture Walt Helmick, said he and Helmick did come to Tucker County and look at the Davis Center facility as a possible location for a cannery.
“We looked at the facility back in September,” Antolini said. “It is currently vacant and not being utilized for anything. Commissioner Helmick and Commissioner Rubenstein have had ongoing discussions over the past several months about how corrections can join together with us at agriculture to try and make things happen.”
Antolini said at one time, agriculture and corrections had a great relationship when it came to producing food of all types, including crops and meat.
“That has trailed off over the last 20 to 30 years,” Antolini said. “They both are very eager and interested in resuming a productive relationship. They have been talking about different things and utilizing the Davis Center is one of the things under discussion right now.”
“We believe that part of that center could clearly be used as utilized as a cannery,” Antolini said. “That is one of the processing operations the Commissioner has indicated he wants to get put into place in West Virginia.”
Antolini said Helmick’s initiative is based on the knowledge West Virginia consumes more than $7.3 billion in food, however, it produces far less than $1 billion in food.
“He wants to see that change,” Antolini said. “Are we going to be able to produce all that? Of course not, but we need to be able to narrow that gap. That is Helmick’s goal.”
Antolini said processing food is certainly a part of that picture and a cannery is one step in processing.
“That location (Davis) and one other, are currently being looked at,” Antolini said. “Nothing has been finalized at this juncture. We have to make another visit to Tucker County to take another look with some of the folks. We will see what the potential is to make that happen.”
Antolini said the decision of where the cannery will go is still in the initial phases.
“The Commissioner mentioned at Huttonsville, during the opening of the potato processing line, his intention to have canneries set up,” Antolini said. “We are working diligently to make that happen. Clearly, the Davis Center is one of the potential locations.”
Antolini said there is not a set timeline on when a decision on the location will be finalized.
“We are at a juncture where we are trying to identify a sight, however, the Commissioner has indicated that he felt there is potential for the cannery to be located at the former Davis Center,” Antolini said. “We also need to explore the financial commitment in getting that facility.”
The Department of Agriculture is not in the business of processing according to Antolini.
“What the Commissioner is trying to demonstrate is that there is a need for such facilities in West Virginia and the clear intention is we would get it started and it would be converted into a private sector operation in a very short period of time – 18 to 36 months,” Antolini said. “We would want to see it converted into something the private sector would take over.”
No follow up visit to the Davis Center has been scheduled, but Antolini said when the next visit happens, Tucker County Commissioners would be invited to the tour and to speak with Helmick about the Davis Center being utilized as a cannery.
“The Commissioner has indicated that he would like to establish the cannery before the 2015 canning season, so things will have to happen quickly if that is going to take place,” Antolini said. “We are clearly in the process of trying to identify locations. Now we have to do our due diligence on cost and what it is going to take to make that happen.”
Mike Rosenau, Tucker County Commission President, said he is excited to hear the former Davis Center may be utilized as a cannery.
“Tucker County has lots of small businesses and tourism, but to have a manufacturing business possibly locating here is exciting news,” Rosenau said. “Lots of folks don’t have the money to start their own business, and this could create jobs for those folks.”
Rosenau said he believes there is the opportunity for more businesses to choose Tucker County as their home.
“With the completion of Corridor H, I believe more businesses will move to Tucker County,” Rosenau said. “The news of this cannery is a win for Tucker County and it is only start.”
Commissioner Lowell Moore said he highly supports the idea of a cannery opening in Tucker County.
“It would be an asset to the community,” Moore said. “Not only could it create more jobs, but it would utilize a facility that is not currently being used.”
Moore said he knows the decision is still in the planning stages.
“I think we have a very good shot at getting the cannery located here in Tucker County,” Moore said.
Tucker County Commissioner Diane Hinkle said she knew Helmick was interested in this area and that he planned to visit the area.
“When I talked to Mr. Antolini, he indicated that he hoped a canning plant would open up by the growing season next year in time to process green beans that are grown in Grant and Hardy counties,” Hinkle said. “It sounds very encouraging. It sounds like they have a plan.”
Hinkle said as a commission, there has been no notification that the cannery is definite.
“But it does sound encouraging,” Hinkle said. “I think this is very good news for Tucker County and would be an excellent use of the former Davis Center facilities. I am anxious to learn more about it.”
Hinkle said it could add to the interest on local foods that has been developing over the past couple years.
“Until we meet with them and hear exactly what the plan is, it is premature to project what else might be able to come,” Hinkle said.
