Suzanne Stewart
Staff Writer
It’s been four years since the Pocahontas County Chamber of Commerce held its annual dinner, but everything fell back into place as the organization gathered to celebrate the success of businesses in the county.
It was a night of good conversation with business folk getting reacquainted and great food catered by Dean’s Den.
Before the meal was served, chamber president Bill Jordan introduced the chamber board members and asked for a moment of silence for a member who recently passed away.
“We lost a very important board member, Charlie Sheets, a couple weeks ago,” he said. “He was an asset to the community and to our board. He will be missed.”
Speaker for the evening was Pocahontas County Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Chelsea Faulknier, who spoke about how, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Pocahontas County stayed resilient and managed to thrive in those uncertain times.
While some businesses and schools closed and only the essential workers continued to report to work every day, the county remained a place to recreate and relax.
“When many other destinations were seeing negative numbers and increased losses, we actually saw, in 2019-2020, $1.7 million in Hotel/Motel Tax,” Faulknier said. “Versus in 2020-2021 where we saw a $2.2 million in Hotel/Motel Tax collection. So during the height of the pandemic, while so many others were showing positive growth.”
That growth has continued as those who visited during the pandemic – possibly for the first time ever – are returning year after year, and they’re bringing friends and family.
Faulknier said that in addition to introducing visitors to the serenity and beauty of Pocahontas County, the pandemic served almost as a reintroduction to those of us who live here and take for granted the many destinations and activities we have right in our own backyard.
“I do think that during COVID, we all kind of rekindled our love for Pocahontas County and West Virginia,” she said. “We have a new found appreciation for the connection and what we have here. That love is continuing to make an impact as we continue doing the hard work that we’re doing.”
Now that everything is back on track and business is booming once again, Faulknier said she is excited to see where the future takes Pocahontas County and its residents and businesses.
“I’m really excited for what the future holds,” she said. “I think this room and this county is home to a lot of hard workers and big dreams. I’m really excited to be on this journey with all of you. I can’t wait to see where the future takes us. I believe it’s going to be truly great.”