The Tucker County Development Authority has completed a comprehensive review of the Tucker County Industrial Park property on Route 48 in Davis. This multi-agency process provides the community with a clear understanding of the site’s characteristics and its potential for future development.
Over the past four years, the Tucker County Development Authority collaborated with engineers, site selection experts, utility providers, environmental consultants, state and federal partners, and others to conduct a detailed evaluation of the property. The review included an updated boundary survey, property title research, environmental and cultural assessments, wetlands and floodplain studies, and a comprehensive evaluation of utilities and infrastructure. As part of this process, the Development Authority addressed issues as they arose, including resolving property title matters and coordinating with the Town of Davis to address wastewater limitations. The Town’s ongoing stormwater separation project will further enhance wastewater capacity, improving the property’s readiness for future projects.
To ensure an objective assessment, the West Virginia Division of Economic Development, through its Site Ready program, engaged nationally recognized site selection consultants to visit the property multiple times over the past two years. The consultants concluded that the property is not suited for traditional industrial use, despite being labeled an “industrial park.” Factors such as site size, configuration, wetlands, and limited excess utility capacity make traditional industrial development impractical. This outcome reflects the realities of the site and the insights gained through a thorough review process. The consultants recommended that the Tucker County Development Authority focus on alternative uses that align with the property’s characteristics. They stated the term “industrial park” can give the wrong impression, as modern industrial uses require site characteristics that this property does not have.
When this property was first designated as an industrial park, its physical characteristics were very different from today. Over time, natural features such as wetlands and the Beaver Creek floodplain have expanded, encroaching on developable land, and part of the property was lost to the highway right-of-way. In addition, the original planned second entrance was eliminated, further altering the site’s developable areas.
Following the review, the property now offers three accessible vacant lots with direct road access, measuring approximately 5, 8, and 10 acres. While these sites are too small and irregularly shaped for large-scale industrial projects, they offer strong potential for commercial operations, niche manufacturing, or other development opportunities that fit the property’s characteristics. The property also includes roughly 34 additional acres, which are currently inaccessible. Developing this land would require extending the access road, crossing wetlands, and investing in utilities, which would involve significant cost and regulatory approvals.
With a clear understanding of the site’s characteristics and limitations, the Tucker County Development Authority can now focus on attracting projects that are well-suited to the property and provide lasting value to the community.
“It’s not exactly what we had hoped for, but this process finally gives us clarity about what the site can and can’t support,” said Steven Leyh, Executive Director of the Tucker County Development Authority. “The property still holds potential for projects that create jobs, benefit the community, and strengthen the local economy, albeit on a much smaller scale. This review process marks the beginning of reimagining the site to maximize its value for Tucker County.”
This important review was a critical step, and the Tucker County Development Authority’s board played a proactive role throughout. The board actively sought answers, provided strategic guidance, and offered diligent oversight to ensure the evaluation was thorough and focused on long-term community benefits. The Tucker County Commission also supported efforts to clarify the property’s potential, helping ensure the process was collaborative and forward-looking.
With the review complete, the Tucker County Development Authority is positioned to pursue development projects that best fit the property’s characteristics and limitations, ensuring the site becomes a true, long-term asset for Tucker County.