What was designated to be a site for hopefully an industrial park in Boone County is losing its tenant.
The West Virginia National Guard announced it will transition out of its training site at the former Hobet mine sight in Boone County – also known as Rock Creek Development Park.
Earlier this month Gov. Jim Justice announced the guard would be hosting a major regional full-scale disaster training exercise there in August 2021.
Leaders with the Boone Economic Development Office said, while they support the military, they are not in favor of having explosives on the property.
Chairman of the Boone Economic Development Office, Eddie Hendricks said the Guard has been doing operations for years on the Hobet property. The county and Guard came to an agreement to have both military training and, eventually, an industrial park to help the county generate more revenue. However, the BEDO said it had reservations when the Guard announced their major training would involve explosive, chemical and nuclear operations.
In a statement, General James Hoyer said it seemed as if the Boone County development was no longer interested in cooperating with the Guard.
The West Virginia National Guard will transition away from Hobet over the next few months.
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