Congressionally Chartered Veterans Group Looking at Relocation from Washington, D.C. has City as Finalist
By Jeff Toquinto on July 14, 2026
Bridgeport Interim City Manager Joe Shuttleworth confirmed that the city received some good news at the national level with a real chance it could get even better in the weeks ahead.
During Shuttleworth’s “City Manager’s Report” at last night’s City Council meeting, he announced Bridgeport is one of two finalists for a veterans organization looking to move its national headquarters from Washington, D.C. The other finalist is Pittsburgh.
Shuttleworth told Council the Vietnam Veterans of America will be in the city next week as the decision-making process continues. The organization is a congressionally chartered, non-profit veterans organization founded in 1978 that is dedicated exclusively to Vietnam-era veterans and their families.
The organization will be looking in the Charles Pointe area, he said.
“Just to be even considered is a great sign for our community,” said Shuttleworth. “Anytime you bring in businesses or organizations that create jobs and impact the economy is a good thing … When it is an organization such as this, it adds to it.”
Shuttleworth said the organization will be bringing upwards of 20 full-time positions with it. He also said he hopes that the number of veterans in West Virginia and the state’s history of military service will be beneficial.
“We’re preparing a presentation and roll out the carpet for them by showing off the area. You look at what we have and I’m confident we are a very attractive option,” he said about the city meeting with the group Friday, July 24. “We’re happy to be considered, but we want them here.”
Another item in Shuttleworth’s report was the announcement of the launch this week of the city’s new e-Bike Safety Training Course. More on that later this week on Connect-Bridgeport.
As for official business, there were only three items that required action by Council – two of which have been in the headlines for months. Council took the next-to-last to set the stage for the future of the property formerly home to the Towne House East Motel.
Council unanimously approved a pair of ordinances under new business for the bids received on the property during a June 24 virtual auction held by Joe R. Pyle Auction & Complete Realty Service. Now, it will go for a second – and final – reading at the July 27 meeting of Council.
The two ordinances cover all the property. Joe R. Pyle auctioned the 2.2 commercial lot of the former motel, as well as two residential lots behind it.
If approved at the next meeting, Council will receive $805,000 for all the property. The city paid $975,000 for the property in 2019. With demolition, the city has more than $1 million tied up in the property.
Both parcels were acquired by the same entity is the most Mayor Robert G. Matheny can confirm at this time. The transaction is still not final, and the buyer has the right to privacy until such time it is recorded at the Harrison County Courthouse.
The only other item of new business was approval of a coal severance budget revision. A little more than $3,600 was carried over from the last fiscal year that will go toward the city’s cost of legal fees, which is what coal severance dollars the city receives typically budgets it to help offset.
Council also heard a report from Bridgeport Finance Director Sharon Hinkle. Hinkle broke down impressive numbers by the city as she touched on various areas of the 26 different funds managed by her department.
Council heard several public comments, including comments once again from resident Ceferina Haught, who was joined by her husband Tim. She repeated her concerns about trash containers along city sidewalks, as well as trash can being left out with the lids open.
Along with Shuttleworth’s report, Council heard a brief report by Matheny. Council member Chris Kinney gave the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Editor's Note: Top photo shows Interim City Manager Joe Shuttleworth as he talks about the city being a finalist for the new home of a national veterans organization, while representatives of Joe R. Pyle are shown in the second photo. In the third photo, Mayor Robert G. Matheny listens to a member of the audience, while the bottom photo shows resident Tim Haught addressing the city's governing body.
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