CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. — A now-former member of the Jefferson County Development Authority is speaking out on Friday’s sudden resignation of 11 members and the board’s chair.
Dan Casto fully supported Rockwool when plans were under review, approved then announced in 2017. Despite ongoing community opposition, he told MetroNews affiliate WEPM on Monday that he does not regret the decision.
“It’s a good company. 150 good jobs (and) making an investment approaching $200 million into Jefferson County. I still believe it’s still a good thing and I believe it’s still going to be built.”
Casto said Friday’s resignations stem from ongoing frustrations, which included the continuous delay on the vote of a bond. This bond would have approved a waterline extension by Jefferson Utilities Inc. (JUI) to service Rockwool and surrounding properties. Casto and 11 other authority members, including Chairman Eric Lewis, previously drafted plans to resign but were talked into staying.
“We were just merely going to vote to issue a bond to finance those obligations. Unfortunately, the vote was delayed again and again. We got to Wednesday (November 7) and the county commissioner posted on Facebook that he felt that if any members of the authority felt like they needed more information or were a little unsure that the meeting should be cancelled. At that point, it became clear to me that this vote was not going to take place.”
The 40-year bond set at 1% interest would be paid back by Rockwool using water revenue. The amount left unpaid after 40 years would be forgiven.
“It was, I felt, good for the county,” said Casto. “Because Rockwool would get their utilities, but there are 250 acres at that development site that are unused and are prime, developable space in the county. Plus also, the residences and existing businesses along the water line, which currently need utilities.”
Casto is concerned that by further delaying the vote on the water bond, other companies who may be interested in locating on property near the Rockwool insulation site may become impatient and cancel. One such company, an unnamed organic lettuce factory, has already cancelled plans to locate next to Rockwool.
“They were excited to be beside Rockwool. They were going to use the steam that Rockwool puts off in their (production) process.”
“Baseless” and “intimidating” behavior from a segment of Rockwool opponents also encouraged the move. These actions reached a breaking point for Casto when they started to intrude on his personal life.
“My home address was posted at one of the forums, my office was called repeatedly, I received hate mail. Other members did too, people who didn’t even speak out. One person called my church and asked that I be removed from the church. Just stuff like that just became kind of annoying.”
Jefferson County Development Authority Executive Director Nicolas Diehl told WEPM Friday that they will run business as usual with the existing nine board members until the rest can be replaced.
“We stay the course until the county commission appoints some new members. They will be advertising that, to my understanding, (this) week and the following week.”