West Virginia House Bill HCR16

West Virginia 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/29/26
• Refer: 1/29/26

Caption

A resolution to task the Economic Development Authority to find land around Flatwoods and funding and businesses to make an area similar to Pigeon Forge to increase tourism and entertainment

Summary

House Concurrent Resolution 16 requests and directs the West Virginia Economic Development Authority to identify suitable land in the Flatwoods area for development of public entertainment, amusement, and tourism facilities. It also asks the Authority to find funding sources and recruit both private and public developers to invest in the project. The resolution is framed as an effort to create a major tourism destination in central West Virginia, with Flatwoods and Exit 67 on Interstate 79 presented as a strategically located site with access to many of the state’s population centers and nearby attractions such as the New River Gorge. The resolution does not change existing statutes or create new legal requirements; instead, it is a legislative directive and policy statement urging state economic development officials to pursue a specific tourism-development initiative. If carried out, it could influence state economic development priorities, land-use planning, and public-private investment efforts in the Flatwoods area, while potentially benefiting nearby businesses such as hotels, restaurants, and other visitor services.

Impact

HCR16 has no direct effect on state law, taxes, or regulatory requirements because it is a concurrent resolution rather than a bill amending the code. Its practical impact is to formally request action by the West Virginia Economic Development Authority and to signal legislative support for tourism-oriented development in central West Virginia. The resolution could shape future state economic development activity by encouraging land acquisition, funding searches, and developer recruitment for entertainment and amusement facilities in the Flatwoods area.

Sentiment

The overall sentiment in the resolution is strongly supportive and promotional. The bill text presents the project as an economic development opportunity that could generate jobs, infrastructure, and spillover benefits for surrounding communities and the state as a whole. No committee transcript or vote record is available, so there is no recorded opposition or debate in the provided materials.

Contention

The main potential points of contention are not documented in the available record, but the resolution’s approach could raise questions about state involvement in a specific local development project, the use of public resources to support private investment, and whether Flatwoods is the best location for a major tourism complex. Any disagreement would likely center on funding priorities, land selection, and the balance between public and private participation in the proposed development. However, no formal opposition, amendments, or recorded votes are provided here.