SB 657, allowing for the creation of tourism development districts passed the house yesterday 93 – 6.  Having already passed the Senate this legislation now goes on to the governor for his signature.  

 

In a statement from the bill’s lead sponsor Senator Patricia Rucker, (Jefferson) she stated: “This legislation is needed to continue the positive momentum in West Virginia’s economy. The tourism industry has become a vital part of a more broadly diversified economic picture in our state and we need to remove the obstacles in the path to success. This legislation does that and will benefit all of West Virginia, but in particular it will benefit the smaller municipalities that need the assistance with larger tourism development projects. This legislation will create up to 5 tourism development districts, allowing the assistance to be spread across the entire state. One of the municipalities that will benefit from SB 657 is Harpers Ferry where Hill Top House sits abandoned for more than a decade. This has caused hardship for the local economy. As with other similar projects across the state, this one will finally get done”. 

 

“I am grateful for all of the support this legislation has generated and I’m glad that this legislation is now passed”.