HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 75

(By Delegate Howell)

[Originating in the Committee on Economic Development and Tourism; Reported on March 7, 2023]

Requesting That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance engage in a study concerning the construction of welcome centers on roads that are part of the Appalachian Development Highways System and other scenic four lane highways and whether such welcome centers would benefit economic development opportunities for tourism in West Virginia.

Whereas, The Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS) is a system of designated corridors and roadways within the 13 States that make up the Appalachian Region; and

Whereas,  The purpose of the ADHS is to provide a system of development highways and access roads which would contribute to economic development opportunities in the Appalachian regions of 13 States including West Virginia; and

Whereas,  The construction of welcome centers on the Appalachian Development Highway System would likely benefit economic development opportunities for tourism in West Virginia; and

Whereas, The State of West Virginia contains many beautiful, scenic roadways that attract multitudes of visitors and tourists each year; and

Whereas, The ADHS is an integral part of the roadways in West Virginia and serves as a link to national interstates and provides access to the roadways showcasing West Virginia's natural beauty; and

Whereas, First impressions upon entering West Virginia are very important and welcome centers are an appreciated sight when crossing into our state; and

Whereas, Placing welcome centers on all ADHS roadways as they enter West Virginia will provide a welcoming ambience to travelers as they make their way into or through West Virginia; and

Whereas, These welcome centers could possibly spread to other noninterstate, 4-lane roadways throughout the state to increase the spread of that ambience and welcoming attitude; and

Whereas, New welcome centers could be operated and staffed with assistance and in collaboration with other Convention and Visitors Bureau (hereinafter "CVB") sites in the region; and

Whereas, To increase the welcoming message and location-specific beauty of each site, these welcome centers could have visual attractions based on local flora, fauna, and other aspects of the culture within that area of West Virginia; and

Whereas, Shipping via trucks is an integral part of our nation's supply chain and having clear, prominent signage for truck parking at these welcome centers will help that supply chain function more smoothly and effectively; and

Whereas, In addition to this signage, each new welcome center could have additional truck parking areas to provide space for the rest and relaxation of the truck drivers serving our state so that they may meet all federal rest requirements; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance engage in a study by the Department of Tourism and the Department of Transportation concerning the construction of welcome centers on roads that are part of the Appalachian Development Highways System and other scenic four lane highways and whether  such welcome centers would benefit economic development opportunities for tourism in West Virginia.

Further Resolved, That the a report of the study’s findings in writing be presented to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance not later than the interim session of December 2023, for the purposes of preparing legislation for the 2024 Regular Session; and be it

Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, prepare a report, and draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.