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Bill

Bill

HB 5028

To create the Small-Town Main Street Recovery Act.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Roy Cooper and 2 co-sponsors

West Virginia bill proposes financial incentives and support to revitalize struggling downtown commercial districts in small towns statewide.

To House Finance
#economicdevelopment
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 5028

Legislative bill overview

HB 5028, the Small-Town Main Street Recovery Act, is designed to provide financial support and incentives to revitalize downtown commercial districts in small West Virginia communities. The bill appears to target economic development in struggling town centers through funding mechanisms and potentially tax incentives or grants. As of the most recent action, the bill has been introduced and referred to the House Finance Committee for review.

Why is this important

Small-town main streets have experienced significant decline due to suburban sprawl, e-commerce competition, and population loss in rural areas. Revitalization efforts can stabilize local tax bases, create jobs, and preserve community character and historic architecture. Successful main street programs have demonstrated measurable returns on investment through increased property values and business activity.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding source and sustainability – Whether the bill adequately identifies revenue sources and whether allocated funds are sufficient for meaningful impact across multiple communities
  • Definition and eligibility criteria – How "small town" and "main street" are defined, which communities qualify, and whether selection criteria create fairness concerns or regional disparities
  • Program design and accountability – Whether funding goes directly to infrastructure, small business incentives, or administrative overhead, and what metrics determine program success or continued funding

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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