Editor’s Note: My Buckhannon freelance writer Lily Hicks writes each month about her experience participating in the 2025-2026 class of Leadership Upshur, a professional development program designed for individuals who live or work in and around Upshur County.
On Wednesday, January 7, our Leadership Upshur class had one of those days that reminds you just how much is happening in this community, even in places you don’t always see. While so many of us live and work here in Upshur County, we don’t always get the opportunity to go behind the scenes and meet the people and businesses that play such an important role in our local success.
We kicked off the day with tours of West Virginia Splitrail, Weyerhaeuser and Corhart, and walking through those facilities was truly eye-opening. It was incredible to see how these operations work day to day, how many people it takes to keep things running and how much each company contributes to our local workforce and economy. I appreciated the chance to talk with employees and learn more about their commitment to this community.
One of the highlights of the day was attending the ribbon-cutting for the Mountaineer Mile at the Riverwalk. It was exciting to celebrate a new community resource focused on wellness, connection and bringing people together. There was a strong sense of pride throughout the event, and it was great to see so many people come out to support it.
Throughout the day, I kept thinking about how often we drive by these businesses or hear their names, but do not always get a full picture of what happens inside or how much they invest locally. This session was a great reminder of the collaboration and dedication that help keep Upshur County moving forward.
Thank you to WV Splitrail, Weyerhaeuser, Corhart and everyone involved with the Mountaineer Mile for welcoming our class, sharing your stories and showing us what makes this community strong. Days like this reinforce why Leadership Upshur is such a meaningful experience and why Upshur County is a special place to live and work.
