Philippi Forward Gathers Momentum: Ideas Flow In Second And Third Meetings

The Philippi Forward series continued with its second and third meetings, held on Wednesday, October 10, and Monday, October 16. Both gatherings brought together a passionate community determined to shape the future of this charming town following the closure of Alderson Broaddus University.

Wednesday's meeting saw an impressive turnout with approximately 25 residents in attendance, and although Monday's meeting had a more modest group of 12 participants, the discussions were equally lively. Representatives from the city were present to lend an ear to the concerns and ideas of the community, focusing on improving attendance at local events, enhancing residents' quality of life, and charting a new direction for Philippi.

One recurring concern, echoing sentiments from the previous meeting, was the lack of effective communication and marketing in Philippi. Attendees brainstormed numerous solutions to address this issue. Suggestions included enhancing signage along the bypass to attract visitors to the downtown area, revamping the City of Philippi's website, and expanding advertising beyond social media.

Two local businesses, Covered Bridge Media and Artefaktual Comics and Games, took a proactive approach by centralizing information. They launched thebarbourbuzz.com, a county news website, over the weekend. The website provides event listings, a job board, restaurant menus, local news, and a history section. Marija Ilic and Gretch Corley, owners of these businesses, encouraged residents to subscribe to the website's weekly newsletter, which will feature upcoming events, business specials, and more.

Signage emerged as a major topic of discussion during the recent meetings. Participants were informed about strict regulations governing business advertising along state and federal highways. City Manager Jeremy Drennen suggested the possibility of creating a generic sign with attractive graphics that encompasses various aspects of Philippi, mirroring the "eat, play, shop" concept promoted by Philippi's Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Residents expressed a desire to see Philippi recapture the thriving spirit it had half a century ago, with a strong emphasis on youth and family-oriented events. Additionally, there were calls to encourage local businesses to establish a stronger online presence, such as Google listings and websites, to improve accessibility and visibility for both residents and visitors.

Concerns were raised about the saturation of events, which can dilute the pool of available volunteers, lower average attendance, and fail to significantly boost local businesses. Attendees also noted the existence of disjointed community groups that do not always collaborate effectively for the greater good of the town.

The question of Philippi's identity was posed by the City Manager, as it emerged that the town represents a patchwork of diverse historical elements, including mummies, the iconic Covered Bridge, the annual Lurch Fest in honor of Ted Cassidy, the site of the first land battle of the Civil War (Blue and Gray reunion), the Tygart River, and a high school renowned for its extra-curricular and sports programs. Philippi is a town rich in history but lacks a singular, centralized identity.

The next and final meeting in the Philippi Forward series will be held on Monday, October 23 at 6 p.m. at City Hall. Residents are strongly encouraged to bring new and unique voices to the table to contribute to the ongoing development of Philippi. It is clear that the people of this town are eager to unite their diverse elements into a harmonious vision for the future.