Welcome center plans under way

KENOVA - Plans to build a welcome center near Interstate 64's ExitNo. 1 into West Virginia should become a reality in 2002, Kenova cityofficials say.

Kenova hopes to place two remodeled log homes on a piece ofproperty owned by Norfolk Southern Inc. and establish a welcomecenter and tourist attraction.

"We're the first exit off I-64 into West Virginia from Kentucky,"said Kenova City Council President Ric Griffith. "We just need togive people a reason to get off the highway and promote our area."

Griffith and Steve Jordan, who operates the Kenova HistoricalMuseum, met with state and federal officials in Charleston in mid-December to discuss the project.

Delegate Don Perdue, D-Wayne, said legislators were impressed withthe idea.

"We all agreed that the first step was to try to acquire theproperty from Norfolk Southern," Perdue said.

Jordan said two cabins have already been donated for the center.

Kenova's location as the westernmost town in West Virginia and theterminus of the Midland Trail adds to the attractiveness of theproject, Griffith said.