On July 1, 1989, the Mingo County Commission resolved that one or more blighted areas existed in Mingo County and that the redevelopment of such areas was necessary in the interest of the public health, safety, morals and welfare of the residents of Mingo County. Therefore, pursuant to their resolution, the Mingo County Redevelopment Authority was created and vested with the powers, functions, rights, duties and privileges of an Urban Renewal or Redevelopment Authority, pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 16, Article 18, Section 1, et. Seq. of the West Virginia Code, 1931, as amended. Since its creation the Authority has worked diligently to create economic development and diversify the economy of Mingo County.

Mr. Mike Whitt, Executive Director of the Authority
whitt_mcra@verizon.net

Mr. Mike Whitt is a 1975 graduate of Marshall University, where he earned a Master's Degree in Education Administration. He worked in the mining industry for eleven years and taught school in Mingo County for five years. He served as a West Virginia Delegate for one and a half terms before accepting his position with the Authority. He currently serves on the State WV Recreational Trails Advisory Board, the Corridor G Authority Site Selection Committee, the Southern West Virginia Community & Technical College – Williamson Campus Advisory Committee. He is also a member of the WV Economic Development Council and the Tug Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Mrs. Leasha Johnson, Administrative Assistant of the Authority
ljohnson_mcra1@verizon.net

Mrs. Leasha Johnson is a 1988 graduate of West Virginia University where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration. She worked in the land management division of a large coal company for thirteen years prior to accepting her position with the Authority. She currently serves on Congressman Rahall's Southern Highlands Initiative grant committee, she is a member of the WVU Mingo County Extension Service Committee, she serves on the Mingo County Education Advisory Council, and is a member of the Williamson Job Service's WVEAC Committee.

Randall J. Harris, Project Director
randall.j.harris@verizon.net

Mr. Harris is a graduate of the University of Florida with degrees in nuclear engineering and applied physics. He also received a graduate degree in engineering management from the National Technical University consortium and an MBA from West Virginia University. He previously served as the Senior Advisor to the Director of the US Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory where he was involved in the DOE’s advance fossil fuel development programs. He is a member of the West Virginia Energy Taskforce and serves as an engineering consultant to the West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health Safety and Training.

MCRA Contact Address and Phone Number:

1100 East Fourth Avenue
P.O. Box 298
Williamson, WV 25661
Phone: 304-235-0042
Fax: 304-235-0043