New power plants, hundreds of acres for new industry and movement on the Chesapeake Bypass will dominate the next year of Greater Lawrence County Area Chamber of Commerce work, the group’s new president said.

Tuesday, June 19, 2001

New power plants, hundreds of acres for new industry and movement on the Chesapeake Bypass will dominate the next year of Greater Lawrence County Area Chamber of Commerce work, the group’s new president said.

"We’re really looking forward to an exciting year," said Carl Darling of Dow Chemical.

Darling and other Chamber officers were sworn in at the Chamber’s annual banquet last Friday.

"I’ve not attended my first meeting yet as president but we have good leadership and are moving forward," he said. "My key role will be to keep it moving."

Most of that movement will coincide with recent announcements, like Liebert’s continued growth and new power plants interested in the county.

One of the main issues the chamber will concentrate on, however, is The Point – the LEDC’s industrial park at South Point, Darling said.

Future issues will revolve around supporting the LEDC’s efforts, finding tenants for the park and pushing marketing efforts, he added.

For example, park manager Roger Haley has already been meeting with prospective clients, Darling said.

With financial information and other details progressing, efforts will concentrate on getting the interested parties to "firm" their commitment, he said.

Getting Calpine and Duke Energy into the county is another activity the Chamber wants to see progress throughout the next 12 months, Darling said.

Each company proposes multi-million dollar electricity generating plants that use a cleaner natural gas process. Together, local investments could reach more than $1 billion.

Although construction won’t take place this year and the plants won’t employ large numbers of people, their location in Hanging Rock will become a boost for the entire county’s tax base, Darling said.

"We look forward to working with them," he said.

A third future agenda item will be the chamber’s continued push for completion of the Chesapeake Bypass, Darling said.

The state is moving forward, but the chamber will stay updated and watch the issue, he said.