Preston and Monongalia Counties Achieve Certified BUILD WV District Designation

For Immediate Release:

Housing Developers Eligible for State Sales Tax Relief in Effort to Attract More Housing Options to Both Counties

The Preston County Economic Development Authority and the Morgantown Area Partnership worked together to ensure both counties were included in a BUILD WV district by the State of West Virginia.  Effective immediately, qualifying housing development projects within a 20-mile radius of Browns Mill, WV can receive State Sales and Use Tax exemptions for building materials and a 10-year property value adjustment refundable tax credit to offset building costs to encourage the construction of more workforce housing in our area.  

“Preston County has been working to attract and develop more housing through extending infrastructure like water, sewer and broadband,” said Roberta “Robbie” Baylor, Executive Director of the Preston County Economic Development Authority.  “The BUILD WV program will help attract housing construction and we expect project announcements in the near future.”

Passed in the 2022 Legislative Session, the BUILD WV act aims to assist West Virginia’s growing communities in attracting much-needed housing development projects.  The West Virginia Department of Development oversees the program and reviews all applications.  All applications must be approved by James Bailey, Secretary of Commerce, Chelsea Ruby, Secretary of the Department of Tourism and Mitch Carmichael, Secretary of the Department of Economic Development.

“As one of the fastest growing areas in the State, we need more housing and we believe the BUILD WV program will help accelerate home construction development in the area,” said Russell Rogerson, President and CEO of the Morgantown Area Partnership.  “It’s important to have a variety of housing for all residents who want to call Monongalia County home.”  
The Browns Mill location was selected as the center point because it captures most of the land within the two counties and beyond.  Both Preston County and Monongalia County are bordered to the north by Pennsylvania and Preston County is bordered to the east by Maryland, which are not part of the BUILD WV program.

Projects eligible for the BUILD WV Act will meet the following criteria:

• Be in a certified BUILD WV Act District
• Generate approved cost more than $3 million OR include at least six units or houses
• Create a significant positive economic impact on the State
• Directly or indirectly improve opportunity in the area where the project will be located for the successful establishment or expansion of other commercial businesses
• Provide additional employment opportunities in the State

The West Virginia Department of Economic Development oversees the program and reviews all applications.  A non-refundable application fee of $5,000 is required to apply.

Projects must apply and be approved prior to the completion of construction.  The entire list of approval considerations can be found in Chapter 5 article 2L of West Virginia code.    

The 20-mile radius of the Browns Mill district covers most of Preston and Monongalia Counties in addition to parts of Marion and Taylor Counties.  Southeastern Preston County including Aurora, Eglon and Horseshoe Run is included in the Davis BUILD WV district.  Most of Preston County is covered by one or more BUILD WV districts.

All interested housing developers or contractors should contact Meghan Smith, 304-993-3564, meghan.e.smith@wv.gov for certification questions.

Contacts:

Preston County—Robbie Baylor 304-329-2299
Monongalia County—Russell Rogerson 304-292-3311