ELKINS -- With a loan assist from the state Development Office hoped for in May, the 77-year-old Elkins Builders Supply Co. plans to relocate its entire operation from downtown to the Elkins Industrial Park.
A loan of more than $400,000 has already received preliminary approval from the state Economic Development Au-thority, according to Kelly Bragg, a communications specialist for the Development Office. Final approval of the below-market-rate loan, which can cover up to 45 percent of eligible costs, is anticipated next month.
The move comes following the sale of the company's downtown showroom for contractor building materials.
"The Davis Memorial Hospital, which is just adjacent to us -- they bought the location where we're at," said Jim Arbogast, store manager.
With a building foundation already laid, Arbogast said the company hopes to be in a steel, pre-fabricated building by the end of summer.
"Our showroom area will be expanded to more than double what we have now," he added.
The company will also add some new material lines, and move a separate kitchen and bath showroom and a concrete batch plant to the new location.
Arbogast said company officials are looking forward to a consolidated site and the availability of more parking than their downtown location allows.
"We feel it will be a little better access for the customers and easier access for trucks when they're bringing supplies in."
Elkins Builders Supply Co. is one of a number of area businesses to make the industrial park home in the past three to five years.
Arbogast said a builder and a cabinet company have located there in just the past two years.
Regional editor Nora Edinger can be reached at 626-1403.
