CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Members of the Kanawha County Commission came together this week for the commission’s Regular Session meeting.
During the session, a request for funding was presented for consideration as pertaining to Charleston’s annual Sternwheel Regatta festival event.
In attendance for the session was Charleston Mayor, Amy Shuler Goodwin, and the funding request, made in the amount of $100,000, was approved by members of the commission.
Republican member of the West Virginia House of Delegates, Dana Ferrell, addressed concerns of some residents regarding the issuing of said funds forward the Regatta as opposed to other public issues.
“The money generated by the Regatta goes to lodging, restaurants, fund-raisers, etc. by visitors. The Regatta doesn’t charge visitors to get in. Like most every festival, funds are requested to pay security, fire-ems and other workers. The return on that investment is money spent by visitors in local economy,” said Ferrell.
“I’m not here to vouch for every dollar of Regatta but rather explain why funds are requested and the rationale for approving them by the county or state.”
The 2024 Sternwheel Regatta is scheduled to be held July 3 through July 7. Performance announcements are expected to be revealed in the near future.