DANVILLE, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Danville’s longtime mayor hopes recent economic development news is the key to re-election.
“We’ve got this town on the move” said Mayor Mark McClure who faces Fire Chief Justin Chafin in next Tuesday’s municipal election.
Most Boone County residents can’t remember any other mayor. McClure will have been on the job 40 years this coming July.
Although major clean-up, sidewalk and walking trail projects are underway or in the works, McClure touts the recent Boone Memorial Hospital purchase of the former Magic Mart location as a key economic development.
The incumbent mayor said BMH’s plans for the former retail location have been in the works for some time although the hospital just formally announced them this week.
“They’re going to move their clinics in there and have a restaurant and walking trails,” McClure explained. “It will be nice.”
The Madison-based hospital hopes to renovate and open the facility in 2022.
Danville officials annexed the property months ago, meaning the new location will have city services such as police protection.
BMH CEO Virgil Underwood was not available Friday. But he told the Coal Valley News earlier that the hospitsl is in the process of finalizing construction and renovation plans.
“With the acquisition and development of this property, we have an incredible opportunity to continue providing excellent, cost-effective health care from a convenient location while also focusing on population health and prevention,” Underwood said in a prepared statement.
“As defined by the Centers for Disease Control, “population health” provides an opportunity for health care systems, agencies, and organizations to work together to improve the health outcomes of the communities they serve,” the newspaper said.
“From this new facility, we look forward to building upon the success of our Healthy Lifestyle, Diabetes Prevention, and FARMacy Programs, and utilizing strategic partnerships to determine the best methods to proactively improve the health and wellness of our community,” Underwood said.
“We are confident that the clinic portion of this space will be unlike anything in West Virginia. Through innovation in clinic design and technology, we will deliver compassionate care in an environment that prioritizes patient satisfaction, accessibility, and privacy; facilitates efficiencies in provider and staff workflows; and minimizes patient wait times and aggravation. This will be anything but a run-of-the-mill clinic,” he said.
Underwood concluded, “We are incredibly excited about our partnership with the Town of Danville. We have worked closely with Mayor McClure and the Town Council in identifying our mutual goals and we truly appreciate their willingness to work with us on this important project.”
BMH worked with the Boone County Public Service District to extend sanitary sewer access to the building. Last month, the West Virginia Infrastructure & Jobs Development Council awarded a $720,000 Infrastructure Critical Need grant to the Boone County PSD for completion of the sanitary sewer extension project.
As for the town election, McClure and current members of city council will be on the ballot representing the Citizens Party. Chafin is running on the Independent ticket.
McCkure graduated from.Scott High School and attended Marshall University. He is a lifelong coal miner. He and his wife, Darlene, have a daughter, Sarah Collins, and two grandchildren.