Morgantown Area Partnership Creates Annexation Task Force
MORGANTOWN, W.Va., (July 24, 2019) – The Morgantown Area Partnership (Partnership) is keenly aware of the increase in annexation proposals from municipalities in Monongalia County in recent months. This includes the City of Morgantown’s efforts to move forward with a “minor boundary modification” process that would result in adding land, homes and businesses into its jurisdiction. The Partnership Board of Directors has established an Annexation Task Force to focus on the facts on the annexation process and to provide valuable input to its public partners from the private sector point of view and to communicate to its membership.
“As a public/private organization that is focused on innovative and strategic approaches to growing the community at large, we are compelled to take a strategic look at annexation to ensure that our community can grow cohesively, cooperatively and for the betterment of all,” said Kimberly Moyers, Chair of the Partnership.
The Partnership Board has received information regarding the City of Morgantown’s annexation proposal from both the City and an opposition group – Forced Annexation Isn’t Right Inc (F.A.I.R.). “Annexation involves significant consequences for both the public and private sectors and stakeholders of multiple types and sizes, many of which are Partnership members/constituents,” Moyers added. “For the Partnership to successfully tackle its strategic initiatives, our resources should pursue comprehensive strategies for the betterment of economic, business, and community development in the greater Morgantown area.”
The Partnership Board is engaged and will be in direct communications with its membership of more than 450 businesses on the facts about the proposed annexation. It will also engage its public partners that have proposed annexation, to promote transparency of the process to its impacted members and, in turn, the Partnership will communicate information as it is available. The Partnership will work with all parties collaboratively to look at alternative and innovative solutions for the betterment of the Morgantown MSA as a great place to live, work, and play.
The following Partnership Board members have been appointed to serve on the Annexation Task Force:
- Damian Ferek
- Pat Martin
- Kimberly Moyers
- Mark J. Nesselroad
- Edward Phillips
- Craig Walker
- Tom Witt
- Sarah Woodrum
- Russell Rogerson – Partnership Staff
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About the Morgantown Area Partnership:
The Morgantown Area Partnership is a business organization that is focused on wealth growth for all entities in Monongalia County, WV. It is a newly formed public/private alliance for the betterment of economic, business, and community development in the area. The Partnership encompasses four entities including the Morgantown Area Chamber of Commerce, the Monongalia County Development Authority, the Morgantown Area Economic Partnership, and the Campus Neighborhoods Revitalization Corporation (Sunnyside Up). The Partnership takes a holistic approach to economic growth and focuses on creative, strategic solutions to our growing community.
For more information, please contact:
Russell Rogerson, President & CEO
Morgantown Area Partnership
Phone – 304.292.3311
Email
