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Local, regional and state development officials hit the bullseye last week when it was announced that Guntry, an indoor firearms training center and shooting range based in Owings Mills, Maryland, will be constructing its second location at The Highlands.
Guntry will be a perfect complement to Cabela's, the development's anchor that has drawn tens of millions of visitors to The Highlands since it first opened in 2004. Guntry's 50,000 sqaure-foot location is set to be located in front of the Hampton Inn at "44 Caliber Drive" and is estimated to cost $13 million.
The genesis of how Guntry came to decide on a second location here is unique and underscores the need for relationship-building and teamwork in development.
A few years ago, Jason Rine, RED's business development manager, had the opportunity to spend a day at Guntry. He was so impressed that he came home and immediately began reaching out to the company.
"I told my wife going home, 'This has The Highlands written all over it,'" Rine said of Guntry. "So I cold-called these guys, drove back to Maryland and made our pitch, and begged them to come see the area. And 30 months later, here we are."
Guntry President Rick Landsman made the initial visit to Ohio County, admitting he "immediately fell in love with the place." The deal in many ways was sealed just a short time later when, on his drive home to Maryland, he got a call from Gov. Jim Justice.
"They see our vision. They see our dreams … We loved the way West Virginia spoke to us when we came up, and we loved the area," he said.
Cabela's came about much the same way more than two decades ago -- local, regional and state officials traveling to Nebraska and pitching to the company's owners, with then-Gov. Bob Wise closing the deal. It's interesting to see the process being replayed.
"… We emphasize the importance of partnerships -- beginning them, building them and maintaining them," Josh Jefferson, RED president, said. "So the success of any economic development project is due to the partnerships we begin, build and maintain."
Those partnerships are yielding results that could pave a brighter future for our region. Keep up the excellent work.