WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall (D-WV) met today with the Summers County Commission and community leaders for an update on the proposed John Henry Park Development project. "This is an important jobs project for southern WV," said Rahall. "The grand vision presented by this opportunity will continue to instill the spirit of John Henry in the hearts and minds of all Americans."

The park site is comprised of just over 26 acres of former CSX property stretching from the mouth of the Great Bend Tunnel east to the CSX rail crossing at Dillon's store in Talcott. Congressman Rahall was instrumental in getting the land transferred from CSX to the Summers County Commission.

"This project is much more than a tourist destination, it has an enormous cultural heritage component that is important to the entire nation," said Rahall. "The Summers County Commission is doing a great job of planning the development of the John Henry Historical Park. It will be a great addition to the area."

"The Commission is putting some cost estimates together as well as the scope of study for the park's development. With that information in hand, I can go to bat for the county again with various funding sources," said Rahall. "John Henry Park will be a shining star in the brightening constellation we are molding in southern West Virginia. My vision is that we should begin to inventory our historical vestiges of African American heritage in southern West Virginia and establish an African American heritage trail connecting them to one another, but also sharing them with our nation and the world."

The meeting with Rahall today was preceded by community meetings held in Talcott over the past two months in which residents and representatives of various planning agencies discussed the development of the John Henry Historical Park.

County Commission President Lonnie Mullens said, "We are very excited about moving forward with the John Henry Park project and are very thankful for all of Congressman Rahall's work to help the project move forward."

Commissioners Mullens, Jerry Berry and Bill Lightner along with Project Director Bill Dillion, WVU Extension Agent Rick Moorefield, and Region I Planning and Development Council Director Norm Kirkham discussed this important project with Congressman Rahall today.

"We are approaching this project from every angle and I am working hard to ensure that the final product is something we can all be proud of," said Bill Dillon. "We are very thankful for Congressman Rahall's continued support throughout the entire process."

Additional information on future development meetings can be obtained by contacting Rick Moorefield at the WVU Extension Office in Hinton at (304) 466-7113.

Summers County leaders discuss plans for John Henry Historical Park with Congressman Nick Rahall. From Left to Right are: County Commissioner Jerry Berry, Project Director Bill Dillon, Congressman Nick J. Rahall, County Commission President Lonnie Mullens, County Commissioner Bill Lightner, and WVU Extension Agent Rick Moorefield."