Over the last few years, downtown Claysville has lost multiple establishments which were family-owned and operated. These businesses served our area for many years and even decades. Because Claysville is the only main street business district in the McGuffey School District, this has been a substantial loss for the region as a whole.

A thriving business district helps to keep our residents from moving away and draws people both to live and to visit. There is a need to promote our existing businesses and to attract new business and employment opportunities.

Recently, Marcellus shale development has brought many economic benefits to our region. But without strong local businesses, those resources will not ultimately stay in our communities. There is a need for a greater diversity of businesses to sustain southwestern Washington County in the long term.

Residents know well that southwestern Washington County is a desirable place to live, work, and play – with beautiful natural and agricultural landscapes, growing opportunities for recreation, and safe, pleasant communities rich with history. Every month, over 1.3 million vehicles travel through our region on I-70 and the National Road. There is incredible opportunity to welcome visitors to stop and see all that our region has to offer.