CHARLESTON, WV – Gov. Jim Justice announced today that a slum and blight demolition program is taking shape to assist state counties and communities in continuing flood recovery efforts and that significant progress is being made through the RISE West Virginia program.
“We must keep doing everything we can to assist our communities as they continue to rebuild,” Gov. Justice said. “Major General James Hoyer and the West Virginia National Guard are working diligently to get this work done, they are focused on it and are moving forward.”
As of today, there are 320 packets in the intake process for the slum and blight demolition for 12 affected counties. The breakdown for each region is as follows:
Region 1: Greenbrier, Monroe, Webster, Pocahontas and Summers Counties - 113 structures
Region 2: Nicholas and Fayette Counties – 65 structures
Region 3: Roane and Clay Counties – 103 structures
Region 4: Kanawha, Jackson and Lincoln Counties – 39 structures
“Governor Justice has asked the Guard to work the slum and blight program as a priority effort since it impacts both community redevelopment and drug demand reduction efforts in West Virginia, both of which are a part of his key priorities,” said Maj. Gen. Hoyer.
As a part of the intake process, members of the West Virginia National Guard are working with local municipalities and counties to work through individual packets for each property listed. Contact has been made with the Emergency Services Directors and County Commissioners in each respective county and in-person visits have been made to attend meetings. Communications via telephone and email take place regularly between the WVNG and representatives in each region.
The next immediate steps will be to get the environmental review process in place for the identified properties to be approved for demolition.