Allegheny Metallurgical and the Barbour Country Club are the Barbour County Chamber of Commerce Members of the Month in March. 

Bill Bowers, left, is the Vice President of the Barbour Country Club.  Steven Stroupe (right) is the Controller/Treasurer of Allegheny Metallurgical.

During a tour of the extensive new mine site, Stroupe said that Century Mining LLC is doing business as Allegheny Metallurgical, a subsidiary of North Central Resources, a privately-owned holding company, in a project sponsored by American Metals and Coal.  “We are fully-permitted operation and active producer with no legacy liability,” he said.  “The company has spent $500 million so far at the site in capital expenditures.” 

“We have 75 million short tons of metallurgical coal reserves with a 26-year mine life in the Lower Kittanning seam with an annual output of 3.1 million short tons of high-quality, steel-making coal” he said.“The impact on West Virginia means 474 jobs when at full-capacity, over $40 million in gross wages each year, and $700 million for the state of West Virginia annually when at full production.”  The company is currently taking applications for employment.

Stroupe may be reached in the former Volga-Century school building, now Allegheny Metallurgical, at 7004 Buckhannon Road, Volga 26238, telephone (304) 457-7004, or via their website  www.alleghenymet.com  The headquarters building is identified by a portion of new long-wall equipment which is in process of being installed below-ground.  Stroupe holds an MBA from Waynesburg University and has 33 years in the coal industry in accounting and as a Controller.

The Barbour Country Club, says Bowers, a former school teacher at the Volga Century School, is a 9-hole golf course opposite the Mount Vernon Memorial Cemetery on U. S. Route 119, which opened in 1957.  It is a stockholder-owned corporation which was incorporated in February of 1956.  It is managed by a Board of Directors, he says, assisted by an advisory committee.

“Through the years, the course has seen several layout changes, along with expansions to the clubhouse, grill/kitchen, banquet room, patio, and maintenance facilities.  Golf season starts April 1st,” says Bowers, “and ends November 1st."  The country club offers annual memberships in the form of family, single, student, and corporate memberships.  The course is also open to the public for play daily.  The playing surfaces consist of Rye, Fescue, and Bermuda grass on tees and fairways with traditional bent-grass greens.  There is a practice facility which includes a hitting area, chipping area, sand trap, and putting green.”

“The Barbour Country Club hosts several community-based benefit tournaments.” says Bowers, “along with club tournaments, social holiday events, birthday parties, class and family reunions, weddings and receptions. Those interested may keep up to date with happenings on Facebook, or by telephoning the clubhouse during season hours at (304) 457-2156.  The club expects to serve the community for many years to come,” he says.