Representatives

Betty Crookshanks
Greenbrier County Commissioner
Office: 304-647-6699
304-392-6003
Home: 304-392-5898

Rick Moorefield
WVU Summers County Extension Office
304-466-7113

About Tri-County Champion Community Organization

Tri-County Champion Community (TCCC) was created in 1994 to make an application for a designation as a federal enterprise community. The group includes Greenbrier, Fayette and Summers Counties. Rick Moorefield is a community and economic development agent with WVU Extension Service based in Summers County. He supports the elected officials and various committees and organizations, including Tri-County Champion Community, that are working to achieve the goals and objectives for community and economic development outlined in the City of Hinton and Summers County strategic plans. Moorefield's support includes providing leadership, facilitating meetings, conducting research, and writing grant proposals.

Community Projects in Greenbrier, Fayette and Summers Counties

John Henry Historical Park

Groundwork for the John Henry Historical Park in Talcott began in March 2000 when the Summers County was awarded a Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) grant from the West Virginia Department of Transportation. The money was used to purchase 26 acres of land adjacent to the Great Bend Tunnel from CSX Transporation.

Formal planning began in December 2004 when the Summers County Commission appointed Bill Dillon, President of the John Henry Days Festival, and Rick Moorefield, WVU Extension Agent, to oversee the park's development. Moorefield was advised by WVU's History Department Chairman to organize a steering committee to facilitate the project. Area residents including local historians, retired railroaders, and members of the John Henry Days committee were invited to serve. Enthusiasm for the project grew immediately and the steering committee quickly grew to 27 members.

Plans for the park include a replica train depot that will serve as the interpretive center and gift shop. Other planned features are a restaurant housed in rail dining cars, playground equipment, campsites, hiking trails, and an amphitheatre capable of hosting a variety of venues.

County resident Aubrey Keaton donated his extensive collection of railroad equipment, tools and other memorabilia to the park for public display. His donation will be honored with a plaque.

For more information about John Henry Historical Park, contact Rick Moorefield at 304-466-7113.