Greenbrier Commission reviews bids for window project, proclaims October ‘Cyber Security Awareness Month’
By Matthew Young, RealWV
LEWISBURG, W.Va. – “I think it goes without saying that Greenbrier County is a premiere tourism destination, and has been since the late 1700s.”
That’s what Kara Dense, president and CEO of Experience Greenbrier Valley (formerly the Greenbrier Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau), told Greenbrier County Commissioners on Tuesday, as part of the organization’s annual report.
“We don’t have numbers for 2024 yet, but the economic impact numbers for Greenbrier County in 2023 were pretty impressive,” Dense said. “$399.4 million in direct spending – that’s not an abstract economic impact number, that’s the number that we know visitors spent just right here in Greenbrier County.”
According to Dense, tourism in Greenbrier County ranks fifth in the state with regard to economic impact.
“2,908 direct jobs, $120 million in employment earnings, and $41.37 million in state and local taxes,” Dense added. “If it wasn’t for tourism, and the taxes and the money that it brings into our county, each household in Greenbrier County would have to pay $2,834 to keep services where they are right now.”
Next to speak before the commission was Raleigh County Commissioner Daniel Hall, who was on-hand to discuss the Mountain Valley Pipeline project.
“In my other job I do consulting and government relations work, and I’m now representing the Mountain Valley Pipeline,” Hall said. “As you know, the pipeline went into operation in June of last year. It’s been moving gas from northern West Virginia down south. It’s doing what it’s supposed to do.”
Originating in north-western West Virginia, the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) stretches a total of 303 miles, before ending in southern Virginia.
“Demand is actually higher than what was expected this fast, so they are looking to expand already,” Hall noted. “Not with a new pipeline, but with an increase in compressor capacity.”
According to Hall, West Virginia currently utilizes three compressors along the route of the pipeline, stationed in Wetzel, Braxton, and Fayette Counties. The expansion project, Hall added, is being called “MVP Boost.”
“If it all goes through, they will be building another compressor station down around the Roanoke area,” Hall said. “We anticipate continuing to just do good things, and deliver product to the customers that need it most.”
Hall added that MVP also wants to be a “good community partner,” and has a grant program available to support public safety.
“Your homeland security director (Don Havens) applied for a grant, and we’re happy today to bring a check and present that to you,” Hall noted.
The grant awarded was in the amount of $3,500, Hall said, adding that Havens plans to use the funds for the purchase of software for the county’s recently acquired drones.
In other business, commissioners opened two bids submitted for the courthouse window replacement project. West Virginia Glass, from Beckley, submitted a proposal totaling $460,237, and Adam Whanger Contracting from White Sulphur Springs submitted a bid in the amount of $280,210. The bids will now be reviewed, and an award decision will be made at a later date. Bids for the courthouse drainage project and for a managed service provided were also scheduled to be opened Tuesday, however none were submitted.
Next before the commission was the approval of draw request #13 for the Greenbrier County GigReady Broadband project. Joining the meeting via Zoom to explain the draw request was Amanda Smarr with Region 4.
“This includes two invoices to the engineering firm Thompson & Litton for their engineering and design services on this project, for the months of July and August 2025,” Smart said. “The first invoice is in the amount of $20,450. That’s the total amount. 25% would come from the TIF (Tax Increment Funding) as the matching funds, and that amount is $5,012.50.”
The remaining 75% – or $15,337 – Smart explained, would be covered by received grant funding.
“The second invoice, the total amount is $20,050,” Smart added. “The matching portion from the TIF funds would be $5,012.50, and the grant portion […] would be $15,037.50.”
After granting permission for Greenbrier County Corrections to apply for a grant through the WV First Foundation, and approving the donation of surplus office furniture and equipment to the Monroe County Commission, Commissioners signed a proclamation recognizing October as Cyber Security Awareness Month.
The proclamation states, in part, “The Greenbrier County Commission is committed to protecting the information and systems that support county operations and services, and […] cyber security threats pose an increasing risk to local governments, public safety, and the personal data of our residents […] the Greenbrier County Commission hereby declares its full support for Cyber Security Awareness Month.”
The next regular meeting of the Greenbrier County Commission is scheduled for Tuesday, October 7, at 10 a.m.
