Valley North Project: A 765-kV Valley Link Transmission Project

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Valley Link Transmission Line Information

The proposed Valley Link Transmission Line is a high-voltage electric transmission project that could cross portions of Barbour County as part of a larger regional power infrastructure initiative. The project is designed to enhance the reliability of the electric grid and support the transmission of energy across multiple states. Many local residents and property owners express concerns regarding potential impacts to private property rights, farmland, scenic views, environmental resources, and future development opportunities within our county. Barbour County officials continue to monitor the project, review available information, and encourage residents to stay informed, participate in public meetings, and provide comments during any open public input periods. Community involvement is essential to ensure that the interests and concerns of Barbour County citizens are fully considered as this project moves through the regulatory process.

For direct questions on this project, please utilize one of the following options:
vltransmission.com/valley-north
vlnorth@vltransmission.com | (304) 207-0120

Barbour County Open House
DATE: July 15, 2026
TIME: 4pm-7pm
LOCATION: Philippi Middle School
ADDRESS:  611 Cherry Hill Road, Philippi, WV 26416

The following links provide information regarding the transmission line, open house locations and an interactive map with proposed routes. This information was created and provided by the Valley Link Transmission’s Valley North Project.

Resolutions passed by the Barbour County Commission:

    • A Resolution declaring the opposition of the Barbour County Commission to the proposed Valley Link North 765-Kilovolt transmission project and any similar extra-high-voltage transmission corridor affecting Barbour County, West Virginia: Resolution_Opposing Valley Link_Barbour_7.17.26

The West Virginia Public Service Commission (PSC) is the agency with the legal authority to approve or deny this project. While county commissions, municipalities, legislators, and other elected officials may advocate on behalf of their communities and express concerns, the final decision rests with the WVPSC.

This project has not yet been filed with the PSC. When an application is filed, the PSC will establish an official public comment period and announce any public hearings.

 

America 250 Mural Ribbon Cutting

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Barbour County America 250 Mural Celebrates Local History & Natural Beauty
Governor Morrisey honor

s town with attendance at dedication ceremony

BELINGTON, W. Va. – The Barbour County Commission hosted a public ribbon cutting in Belington for the new mural “Cerulean Sky” on the Golden Rule Building on the evening of Friday, June 19th. Governor Patrick Morrisey was present to cut the ribbon, and the community had the opportunity to celebrate the project and meet the artists, Kylie Proudfoot-  Payne and Zoë Brielle Payne. Emilee Goodman, the third artist to have participated in creating this piece, was not present at the ceremony.

The large 14’ x32’ mural was completed in only two weeks, from March 15th to April 1st, and it shows the Tygart River, Laurel Mountain, and the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley train under a bright sunset. Artist, Kylie Proudfoot-Payne, conceptualized this piece while her daughter, Zoë Brielle Payne, and artist Emilee Goodman assisted with production. Commissioner Bob Richardson was instrumental in locating the mural at the prominent Golden Rule location.

For this piece, the artist mentioned having first painted a serene sky, but then pivoted to painting a colorful sunset to better represent the beauty of Barbour County. “When I think of Barbour County, I think of the experiences with the land, the water, and the flow of the river through the County. Most of our communities are along rivers, and we engage with the water and the sky… and I feel like this mural depicts a dramatic point of interaction between those things,” Proudfoot-Payne said. David Strait, President of the Barbour County Commission, explained that, “Rather than highlighting landmarks, we wanted our mural to make you feel the way that being in Barbour County makes us feel.”

The ribbon-cutting took place during Belington’s West Virginia Day festival, when the community came together to celebrate with live music, vendors, and activities for the entire family. Governor Patrick Morrisey was present to give a speech addressing the celebrations: “When I come up here, I think about West Virginia history and how much it’s been shaped by the railroad. It carried our coal. It carried our timber, our workers, our families, but also carried opportunities.” The governor added that, “Railroad track connected communities like Belington to all across WV and ultimately, our country… [This is] such an idyllic small town, and we have a chance to look and assess where we’ve been, celebrate where we are today, and look ahead to where we are going”

Funding for the mural was made possible by West Virginia’s America 250 Mural Project, with support from the Barbour County Commission and Woodlands Development and Lending.

Woodlands Development and Lending works to develop affordable housing, drive downtown development, increase community capacity, and provide affordable small business support and lending services to the communities in our service area. Woodlands Development and Lending is an Elkins, WV based Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) and Financial Institution (CDFI) that serves Randolph, Barbour, and Tucker Counties.

Please contact Katie Wolpert (kwolpert@woodlandswv.org, 304.404.2991) for high-res images or further information

(attachments: Attached photo courtesy of Kylie Proudfoot-Payne of the ribbon cutting of the mural “Cerulean Sky”/ From left to right: Artists Emilee Goodman, Kylie Proudfoot-Payne sand Zoë Brielle Payne with the mural “Cerulean Sky”. / The band Stalnaker Hill performed fast picking bluegrass outdoors in front of a large crowd).

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Call For Artist: Barbour County- America250 Mural Project

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Barbour County Commission is seeking qualifications from experienced mural artists interested in completing an America250 mural project in Barbour County. 

A public mural will be installed in each of West Virginia’s 55 counties as part of the America250 Mural Project, a statewide initiative supported by the West Virginia Department of Tourism and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). This project will celebrate America’s 250th anniversary by showcasing the rich history, culture, and
future of our communities.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Location: To be determined by County Commission
Budget: $5,000 grant
Deadline for Project Completion: April 1, 2026
Theme: Artists are encouraged to explore themes of local and national history, community
identity, innovation, and visions for America’s future. Possible concepts may include:
Historic figures or leaders ⭐️ Important places, landscapes, or communities ⭐️ Significant events (local or national) ⭐️ Contributions to technology, industry, or the arts ⭐️ Aspirations for the next 250 years

The murals will be featured as part of West Virginia’s America250 celebrations in July 2026.

ARTIST ELIGIBILITY

✅ Open to professional artists or artist teams with experience in large-scale public art.
✅ Projects must be completed by April 1, 2026.
✅ Artists are eligible to contribute murals to multiple counties

BUDGET AND SCOPE OF WORK

‼️ Total budget: $5,000 (covers artist fees, materials, supplies, insurance, and installation)
‼️ The selected artist(s) will work with the county commission and relevant community partners to finalize the design concept and complete installation.
‼️ The mural must be durable, weather-resistant, and suitable for long-term public display with an anti-graffiti clear coat.
‼️ The mural may be painted on mural cloth or directly onto a structure.

‼️The mural must incorporate West Virginia’s American250 logo in the deisgn https://wvtourism.imagerelay.com/sb/fa56493a-ef29-4045-bfb9-1fd509997453/america250-mural-project

Requirements:

‼️Proposed Sketches due no later than January 13th for review at the January 16th County Commission meeting.
Interested artists should submit the form below.

Mud Run

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Mud, Guts, and Freedom Mud Run

Think you know the Barbour County Fairgrounds? We’re gonna take you from the top to the bottom, and the front to the back of one of the wildest and most rugged fairground properties in West Virginia with the Mud, Guts, and Freedom Mud Run on July 5th.

Pre-register through the mail – Registration Form

Race Date: July 5th
Location: Barbour County Fairgrounds – park at the ball fields.
8am: Day-of registration and packet pickup at the Quonset Hut at the top of fairgrounds
9:30am: Kids race
10am: Mud Race start
11:30: awards

The race clocks in at right around 5K, but be ready to go up and down hills of all sorts, cross creeks, rocks, mud puddles, and tree limbs, navigate barriers and push yourself to the limit! You’ll probably want to leave your phone in your car.

The Mud, Guts, and Freedom Mud Run raises funds for Barbour County Middle School Soccer and Cross Country programs. You can register ahead of time or on the day of the event and you are welcome to compete as an individual or as a four person team.

This unique race is a low-key, community-driven event that is created by and for our younger teenage kids, with help and support from the county commission and parks & recreation department.

Stay after to enjoy food vendors and the Fourth of July fireworks celebration at the Fairgrounds. Click here for a list of other July 5th Activities!