MERCER COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A new monthly forum broadcasted on Facebook Live informs Mercer County residents on projects and opportunities.
Let’s Talk Mercer County gives their viewers insight on current programs, people and opportunities to the public.
“It’s a way we can reach out to the public and ways we have a nice engaging conversation,” said Mercer County Commissioner Greg Puckett.
Since COVID-19 is still around, virtual meetings continue. This gave Puckett the idea to do something new for the community.
This month’s forum panel consisted of Mercer County Development Authority John O’Neal and Jordan Maynor, City Manager of Princeton Mike Webb, and Economic Development Director Jim Spencer.
The panel used their time to talk about infrastructure and programs that are currently in progress.
One project that is currently in the works is a partnership with the County Commission to run broadband from Exit 1 to Industrial Park.
“We’ve got a number of residents and businesses and employers that all the way throughout Industrial Park that have been existing sometime with unreliable internet service,” said O’Neal.
According to O’Neal, they are looking to acquire state funding through this partnership and plan to have this project completed during the first half of the year.
Another project is investing into business recruitment by renovating older business properties. O’Neal has background with real estate and wants to be able to have the right businesses at the right place in the right building.
They also entered a partnership with the City of Bluefield to explore running natural gas along Exit 1.
“We’re in the very infancy of that, again don’t want to get in front of our skis. It’s just an example of the partnerships that we’re building,” said Maynor.
Another topic that was briefly mentioned were Princeton’s needed roadwork on certain streets by Webb.
Following this, Puckett opened up the floor for questions from residents. He mentioned if someone’s question wasn’t answered, an answer would be given in a timely manner.
The monthly forums are live on Facebook every last Tuesday at 2:00pm.