CHARLES POINTE, W.Va. — The 1,700-acre planned development of Charles Pointe is on the move with nearly 1,000 jobs and an estimated annual economic impact of more than $1 billion.
The development by Genesis Partners and Jamie Corton is a diverse mix of retail, industry, education, community spaces, and entertainment. Charles Pointe is right off I-79 with one hospital under construction on site and another nearby and is also located within minutes of the North Central West Virginia Airport. State Senator Ben Queen, R, Harrison, 12, said these are the types of living spaces younger West Virginians want to live in.
“At the end of the day, giving young people an opportunity, a better opportunity to choose to stay or move to West Virginia, is what we’re all about,” Queen said. “This development we’re standing in paints that picture.”
The completely new development is one of only a handful of its type in the state, with about 500 single-family residences. National home builder D.R. Horton has plans to build up to 100 homes every year with a total goal of about 1,700. The development provides walking opportunities to entertainment, retail locations, and in some cases even work.
“What if we could bring that different housing component? What if you could bring that business, walking, and outdoor lifestyle here that I’m trying to get better at myself?” Queen said. “I hear that from my college roommates that are spread across the country.”
Clay Riley, R, Harrison, 72, credited tax policies for the success of the development. The mix of Sales Tax Increment Financing (STIF) and Tax Increment Financing (TIF) has been analyzed and implemented in other areas of the state to increase development.
“It’s really allowed the tax dollars to be reinvested in the local economy,” Riley said. “So, the tax dollars that people are spending in Harrison County in this case are staying in Harrison County.”
Mon Health/Vandalia Health currently has the new Harrison Neighborhood Hospital under construction in the development. Mon Health President and CEO David Goldberg said the small-format concept is about three years old in Marion County, offering a wide range of care and well received by the community there.
“A lot of jobs are coming in Harrison County and southern Marion County, and all of them need health care,” Goldberg said. “Whether it’s primary care, surgical care, or preventive care, we’re going to be here to take care of all of them.”
The West Virginia First Foundation, the organization established to distribute nearly $1 billion in opioid settlement money, has set up their headquarters there. Executive Director Jonathan Board said the selection of Charles Pointe was an important one for the organization in terms of reaching all areas of the state and being accessible.
“Not just for the geographic center of the state, but importantly the population center of the state—it has shifted up north,” Board said. “Harrison County is the closest spot everyone can get to in West Virginia, and we’re glad to be here.”