Williamson Mayor Darrin McCormick was the guest speaker for the regular meeting of the Tug Valley Chamber of Commerce Monday.

McCormick introduced a young woman soon to be a big part of Mingo County. The city of Williamson and the Tug Valley Chamber of Commerce have jointly hired 23-year-old Natalie Young as the managing director for the Chamber of Commerce and Williamson Blueprint Community.

Young will begin the newly created position May 1. With her office located at the Williamson Coal House.

“I am from here and would like to find things for the younger generation to do as well as the entire community,” Young said. “Everybody wants something to do.”

While Camber of Commerce Executive Director Cecil Hatfield says he will soon retire, he has agreed to hang around longer to give Young a crash course on the ins and outs of the chamber.

“We need more young leaders in the community,” he said.

Young is a local girl and the only child of Andy and Debbie Young. She graduated from Burch High School and then from Marshall University.

“I’m just a homebody,” she told the Daily News.

The visitation center will be located in the historic Coal House.

“That’s where we feel it should be, McCormick said.

The Web site states the building stands as a tribute to the abundant mineral that has brought prosperity to the entire Southern section of West Virginia.

Built in 1933, the outside walls of the unique structure are constructed of 65 tons of.

The idea came from O.W. Evans, then manager of the Norfolk and Western Railways Fuel Department in Williamson. The site explains that he hit upon the “idea, and gained civic support for the project. Materials, labor, and cash were donated by local firms and individuals, and the one-story building was designed by H.T. Hicks, architect, of Welch, West Virginia.”

The tons of coal were cut into blocks used throughout all four walls as well as the two smooth pilasters at the front of the building.

“Coal used in the construction was mined from Winifrede seam and donated by the Leckie Collieries Company, Crystal Block Coal Company, and the Winifrede Block Coal Company.”

McCormick also spoke about the Williamson Community Fund. WCF was established by the Williamson Redevelopment Authority with the Foundation for the Tri-State Community, Inc.

It is able to receive contributions for funding civic improvements in the city.

Within the community fund are two funds established for individuals and organizations that want to give back to their community.

Visit www.williamsonblueprint.org for more information.

Nominations for the chamber board of directors for the 2009-2012 term are;

Joyce Roddy - Individual; Margaret Conner - Real Estate 2; Marvin Vernatter - Riverside Point, Inc.; Byron Thornton - Inez Deposit Bank; Dave Farley - N & W; Albert Totten - Delbarton; Dave Akers - Matewan; Tim Hatfield - Appalachian Regional Hospital; Charley McCoy - BB&T; June Blevins - Individual; Moses Pinson - Community Trust Bank; Tranquilla Whitt - First national Bank; Paul McCallister - Red Cross; Teresa Stapleton - WalMart and Todd Hubler - Whitesburg Memorial Hospital.

Six or more will be elected from the list. Look for ballots to arrive via mail.