During the special session, lawmakers passed a bill giving coal-producing counties more money from the coal severance tax.
HAMLIN -- Lincoln County leaders want to spend some of the extra money from the coal severance tax on extending water and sewer lines. They believe that could attract more business to the county, which would create more jobs. That's good news for Melissa Holstein, of Alkol. She wants better water and a better job.
“That way we could go get jobs outside home health care and get a better paying job that would bring more money into the family to take care of the children,” said Holstein.
“People wouldn't have to drive to Southridge, Madison, and Huntington for work,” said Latisha Dotson, of Woodville.
County commissioner Thomas Ramey said the county has started the process of putting sewer lines in the Alum Creek area of the county. With Southridge nearby, many believe the Alum Creek area is ready for growth.
“Economic development is coming our way. We have to have the infrastructure in place in order to accommodate that. That's our biggest barrier,” said Larry Stutler, executive director of the Lincoln Economic Development Authority.
More businesses mean more tax revenue for the county, and more tax revenue could mean more money for county departments and services, like the library.
“It would come in handy with the books, children's books, and the story hour we have in the summer time,” said Alma Cummings, a librarian at the Hamlin-Lincoln County Public Library.
Under the legislation, Lincoln County would get an additional $150,000 in coal severance money. Each year that would increase. After five years it would max out at $500,000.
Stutler said he is talking with three companies who are taking a serious look at setting up shop in Lincoln County. While not giving specific details, he did say the companies are located in and outside West Virginia.
