New business development in the works in South Charleston

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) – A new business development is coming to South Charleston, across the road from the South Charleston Community Center.

After the Jefferson Road widening project got underway, many businesses closed up shop or were bought out by the state.

When some homes and businesses were left behind, South Charleston Mayor Frank Mullens says he saw that as an opportunity.

“This is a way for us to justify to be able to buy up some property there, help out the folks who want to leave. At the same time we are going to be left with a piece of property that is attractive for economic development,” Mullens said.

Mullens says now that the city owns those properties, new development could be on the horizon.

“My guess is it probably will be more retail/restaurant because that’s really what it is suited for,” the mayor said.

Mullens says completing a project like this is not cheap, but, South Charleston has a tax increment financing district or TIF district in place to help pay for the development and make it a reality.

“That tax increment, you use for public improvement projects. Any new business that comes in that boundary of the TIF district, those tax dollars can come back to the district and be used to pay for public improvement projects.”

It all hopes to bring new business and development for years to come.

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