Kenova, West Virginia – A long‑idle brownfield site on the former Breece Veneer property is being reborn as a new rental housing development. After a ceremonial groundbreaking, construction crews have begun laying the groundwork for an 18‑unit complex that will address the town’s growing housing demand.
Private investment and public partnership
Thomas Brothers Real Estate, based in Proctorville, Ohio, is committing roughly $2 million to the project. The firm is working closely with several government agencies that helped secure federal grant funding for the site’s environmental cleanup. “They are running all the sewer lines now, and once they get those set, they will run the water lines, and we will do all the electrical work,” explained Luke Thomas, co‑owner of Thomas Brothers.
Economic benefits for Kenova
Kenova Mayor Tim Bias highlighted the broader impact of the development. “Our businesses in town will benefit from these people buying groceries, fuel, pizza, and dining at local restaurants, so it benefits this area tremendously,” he said. The mayor’s remarks underscore the expectation that new residents will generate additional sales tax revenue and support local merchants.
Environmental cleanup and brownfield reuse
George Carrico, director of the West Virginia Brownfields Assistance Center, noted that the site’s transformation is a model for turning abandoned, potentially contaminated properties into community assets. “All of those dilapidated, abandoned properties are potentially brownfields,” Carrico said. Federal grants covered the remediation costs, allowing the land to be cleared of any unknown environmental concerns before construction began.
According to Carrico, the availability of environmental funding makes such projects more financially viable for developers and helps communities address legacy pollution without shouldering the full expense.
Timeline and future outlook
The first rental units are slated to be ready for occupancy in the spring of next year. Once completed, the development will provide affordable housing options for families and individuals seeking to live in Kenova, while also signaling a broader trend of revitalizing underused industrial sites across the region.
Local officials anticipate that the project will encourage additional private investment in the surrounding area, potentially spurring new commercial ventures and further job creation.
Original reporting: WCHS Eyewitness News Charleston (local) — read the source article.
