Matthew G. Ballard

A small road might not seem like much, but in the economic development world, it can have a big impact. 

In the case of Leslie Equipment, having an access road was the difference-maker when the company decided to locate a facility in Cross Lanes. It opened in 2007 and today the John Deere dealership and regional training center employs more than 30.

With the help of the Kanawha County Commission and the Division of Highways, the Charleston Area Alliance was able to procure up to $400,000 from the Industrial Access Road Fund.

“That’s one of the reasons we bought the property,” said Rick DeMoss, Leslie vice president and project manager. “It really helped us. If the Alliance hadn’t applied for that money, we wouldn’t have gotten it.

“Now other businesses are benefiting from it,” DeMoss said.

The access road leads to the Golden Corral, and a soon-to-be-open hotel will use it. With a little effort and know-how, an inconspicuous access road has helped create jobs and new business in the Kanawha Valley.

This is a great example of creating a prosperous economy. We’re not waiting for change to happen, and we’ll do anything we can to make the region more attractive to potential employers.

Leslie Equipment Company has been a John Deere Equipment Dealer for more than 38 years. The company has received high recognition in the industry for being an innovative leader in sales and product support.

Leslie has ten locations in West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky. It stocks a complete line of John Deere construction and forestry equipment to handle almost any job. Leslie has available inventory for immediate purchase and a rental fleet that will meet just about any construction or forestry need.

That means the Kanawha Valley now is a little more attractive to John Deere customers. Companies with these kinds of needs might consider Leslie’s services when looking at the Valley as a potential location.

We often hear the refrain about West Virginia’s failures, but we’re here to sell its potential.

Leslie’s journey to its new facility began as a promise. It continued with a road and then an expanded facility. Then came more jobs. Business followed.

Individually, these might seem small. Together, they are significant, and we’re going to see more positive news resulting from Leslie Equipment’s impact.

We have a bevy of stories like this of which to be proud, and that’s why we’re continually optimistic about Charleston and the Kanawha Valley.

We’re on the right road, and we see great things on the horizon.