Suzanne Stewart
Staff Writer
At its meeting Monday night, Marlinton Town Council was joined via Zoom by Pocahontas County Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Chelsea Faulknier, who presented the CVB’s annual report.
“Every year, the CVB is required to submit this report within ninety days of the conclusion of our fiscal year,” she explained. “All state CVBs are required to provide this annual report to different state agencies, in addition to municipalities and counties that we receive occupancy tax from.”
As Faulknier explained, the CVB is funded solely through hotel occupancy tax and is required to provide the annual report to be accredited.
The Pocahontas County CVB received its re-accreditation in 2025, and it is good for three years.
In her report, Faulknier told council that Pocahontas County received $2.7 million in countywide occupancy tax between July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026, breaking the last record, and showing an increase in visitors to the county.
In the past fiscal year, the visitor centers had nearly 64,000 visitors stop by to obtain information.
Faulknier also spoke about the marketing strategies of the CVB.
“We’ve been focused on promoting our historical and cultural assets in the county,” she said. “We’re really trying to enhance promoting not just outdoor recreation, but also the historical and heritage experiences and attractions here in Pocahontas County, as well.”
For website and social media hits, Faulknier said the CVB website had 450,000 sessions and has 63,000 followers on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and Pinterest.
The CVB also sends out a monthly newsletter to 39,000 subscribers.
In addition to promoting the county, Faulknier said the CVB is partnering with local organizations such as the Pocahontas County Housing Task Force, Pocahontas County Broadband Council and Nature’s Mountain Classroom to assist in their efforts.
Faulknier also spoke to council about possibly rebranding the Town of Marlinton, specifically redesigning the town logo to incorporate the outdoor recreation aspect of the town. Council approved to work with the CVB to create a new logo.
In other business, council approved:
• Pocahontas Memorial Hospital wastewater project bank account.
• Pocahontas Memorial Hospital wastewater project acceptance of recommendation of award.
• to accept Danhill Construction bid for the Pocahontas Memorial Hospital wastewater treatment project.
• first reading of the Building Code Fee Schedule, Building Code Guidelines and Building Code Ordinance.
• grading and graveling the town road through Stillwell Park to the sewer pond.
• hiring Herby Barlow as police chief.
• changing employment of Deanna Gladwell from part-time to full-time.
• creation of a 3-5 person Mon Forest Towns Planning Committee to provide communication and coordination with staff concerning all things Marlinton.
Marlinton Town Council meets the first Monday of each month, excluding holidays, at 7 p.m. in the municipal building auditorium. The public is welcome to attend in person or online through a Zoom link.
