In the News

Drugs are having a limiting effect on Preston County’s available workforce, U.S. Rep. David McKinley, R-W.Va., was told Tuesday.

Preston County Economic Development Director Robbie Baylor told McKinley that employers are having trouble finding new employees.

“When I talk to the businesses, there are open jobs all over the county that can’t be filled,” Baylor said. “Allegheny Wood Products had positions to fill and went through 200 applicants to get two people to fill jobs.

“I think it goes back to drugs,” Baylor said. “I have been told, ‘If you can get someone to show up and work, I can teach them everything. I need to find someone to show up and work.’”

Preston County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kristy Ash said as an executive, and as a mother and grandmother, she is concerned about the drug use.

“Drugs concern me because Preston County is such a nice place to live and work,” Ash told McKinley. “We need more rehabilitation facilities.”

Sherry Durr, owner of Preston Personal Errand Service, theorized that drugs are filling a void.

“I think the kids are going to drugs because there is nothing to do,” Durr said. “And I am tired of hearing marijuana doesn’t hurt you ... it is a gateway drug to others.”

The participants all said they would like to see more drug education for both the youth and adults, because as people smoke marijuana in their homes, it is also affecting their children.

McKinley also heard about the county’s infrastructure needs.

Baylor said West Virginia needs to keep competitive with the rest of the states, especially with Pennsylvania and Maryland bordering Preston County.

“In order to keep competitive, we need infrastructure — water, sewer and broadband,” Baylor said.

Jessica Lipscomb, co-owner of Houses and More, agreed with Baylor there is a need for better infrastructure.

“We do have septic and wells in Preston County,” Lipscomb said. “And home buyers sometimes don’t like that. It is concerning for me to see communities around us start to thrive and grow.”

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