Local Government – Fairmont

Guests:  Scott Spears - Mayor, John Dahlia – Deputy Mayor, Bruce McDaniel - City Manager, Jay Rogers – Director of City Planning and Development

Summary:  In December of 2007, the hit ABC show Extreme Makeovers: Home Edition made a stop in Fairmont, West Virginia. The process of designing and building a new house for one lucky West Virginia family began weeks before as city officials and staff utilized a state grant and expedited permits to allow for shooting before the holiday season. The show goes to highlight the efforts that Fairmont’s City Government has undertaken to create and reinforce the image of West Virginia’s “Friendly City.” Fairmont is one of the rare communities to put together a multi-faceted comprehensive plan which aims to head off future challenges related to growth, infrastructure, business environment, community life, education and a number of other aspects that city governments must often respond to. In the first segment of the State Dollar, you meet Fairmont’s Mayor Scott Sears and City Manager Bruce McDaniel who speak about this plan and how the city works with state and federal government. The second segment brings in Deputy Mayor John Dahlia and City Planner Jay Rogers to talk about how the code-named “Project 517” was later revealed as West Virginia Extreme Makeovers and how they helped organize hundreds of contractors, volunteers and the stars of the show while in the city of Fairmont.

Video Extra:   Click the "State Dollar Video Extra" image below to see more about West Virginia Extreme Makeovers.