Editor,

The Kiwanis Club of Delbarton unanimously endorses the Consol, Inc., and Cotiga Development Company partnership with the WV Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration.

This public/private partnership will construct a five mile section of the I-73/74 King Coal Highway from Buffalo Mountain to Belo, as a post mine land use project. The roadbed will be constructed at no cost to the tax payers to rough grade. Cotiga Development will then donate the necessary right-of- way to the state of West Virginia. The only state and federal funding required to complete this five mile section of interstate highway will be for final grading, paving, and guard railing. Without this partnership, a savings of $120 million to tax payers would not be possible.

Without the support of the business and private sector, an Interstate Highway through Mingo County would not be possible. Our Kiwanis Club members are proud of our Mingo County leaders who share the vision to promote much needed economic development opportunities, a safer and more efficient means of transportation, employment opportunities for our citizens, and educational facilities for our children. Mingo County was the first county in the state to have a Land Use Master Plan for post mine use.

We urge all service organizations and the citizens of Mingo County Citizens to support any effort which generates opportunities for Mingo County citizens through such projects as the new Mingo County Airport, Trans Gas Developments Coal-to-Liquids Plant, expansion of the Harless Industrial Park, Twin Branch Motor Speedway, Aqua Culture fish hatchery, New Mingo Southern High School, and other on-going projects of the Mingo County Redevelopment Authority and the Mingo County Commission.

William C. Totten

President, Kiwanis of Delbarton