Pending the enactment of a congressional appropriations bill...the West Virginia National Guard could have funding to buy about 30 acres of land for the new armory.

But if that happens...that could be just the beginning of the plans.

"We've all been talking, but there hasn't been much substance," Keith Burdette, President of the Area Roundtable, told the Wood County Commission Monday morning.

That could change. In fact, if the $50 million project actually happens, it could be more than an armory. It could be the long-discussed convention and events center. Local government would be the ones to pay for the convention and events part.

"We, for instance, have to buy the seats," Burdette says. "If we needed a commercial kitchen, that would serve conventions and banquets. We would have to build that. If we want additional conference space, we would have to build that."

That's why Parkersburg's mayor would like to see the participartion, financial and otherwise, of other local governments...notably the Wood County Commission.

"The county should have to share half of what we share," Mayor Bob Newell said Monday. "The county government probably will benefit more from this than anybody else."

"We have a firm commitment from the Guard that they'll go there for 30 acres," said Commissioner Blair Couch, "but we don't know what the acquisition price of their 30 acres is."

But the roundtable hopes to propose the project on the basis that most of it will be built by the national guard itself.

"The arena itself is part of the readiness center, and they'll build all that," Burdette says. "It's a sweet deal."

In addition, there's another 30 acres in that area of Fort Boreman Hill, which might be available for commercial development.

Keith Burdette estimates local officials might have a 90-day period to put together a deal with local developers...a period he admits isn't a lot of time, considering not much has happened up to this point.