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Harrison County Commission approves $27,500 in grants for local heritage sites and community events
Summary
The commission voted to fund three local organizations: $5,000 for Fort New Salem’s Spirit of Christmas shuttle, $21,000 for the Kelly Mullen Community Center operated by the West Virginia Black Heritage Festival, and $1,500 for the Shinston Turkey Trot. All motions passed by voice vote.
Harrison County commissioners approved $27,500 in special funding Wednesday to help support two cultural organizations and a community run ahead of the holidays.
Larry Ryan, director of the Fort New Salem Foundation, asked the commission for $5,000 to pay shuttle costs for the 52nd Spirit of Christmas in the Mountains event, which he said drew about 991 visitors over four days in 2024 and relied on nearly 98 volunteers. "We're asking for $5,000 that will pay the total cost of the buses," Ryan told the commission, adding the event runs from November into December and that the foundation is fully volunteer-run.
Commissioner (S4) moved to cover the Centra shuttle expense, and the commission approved the allocation by voice vote.
Representatives of the West Virginia Black Heritage Festival requested $21,000 to address heating, plumbing and security needs at the Kelly Mullen Community Center, which the group says it has operated since 2018. "Our water bill went from about $300 a month to $1,000 a month," the representative, identified in the record as "Mister Griffith," said, describing unexpected expense spikes and the need for building repairs and security upgrades. Commissioners agreed to fund the request from the community improvement fund; that motion also passed by voice vote.
Jason Martin asked for $1,500 for the 17th Shinston Turkey Trot, describing prior-year registration numbers and community uses for proceeds, including two $1,000 scholarships and rail-trail beautification projects. "We had over 800 people registered to do the event," Martin said, and commissioners approved the $1,500 request by voice vote.
All three requests were discussed during the meeting's public-funding section; commissioners asked about contracting requirements and whether services such as shuttles would need to follow procurement rules tied to federal funding. The motions carried with no recorded dissent.
The commission did not attach additional conditions to the awards beyond normal invoicing and use of the county's community improvement fund where noted.
