BECKELY -
The decision by the Higher learning Commission to pull accreditation from Mountain State University is echoing in the community.
Right now Businesses in the communities around MSU are trying to gauge how the decision will affect their business.
"So it is a real blow to Beckley if their appeal is not successful," Ellen Taylor, President of the Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce said.
The aftermath of the decision by the Higher Learning Commission to pull Mountain State University's accreditation is rattling the community and has local business owners worried about their wallets.
"I'd say at least 30-40% mainly the international students," William Dixon Owner of Taya's and Abraham's International market said.
Dixion continued, 40% of his business is from M-S-U students and without the students presence... he worries his sales could drop... hurting their bottom line... or even worse, putting them out of business.
But that isn't the only impact folks are worried about.
"Think about all the people who work there. Who live in Beckley and buy homes and groceries in Beckley and it will have a trickle down effect for all of the businesses who they will not be buying from," Taylor continued.
Taylor speculates that if MSU does indeed lose accreditation many folks including the faculty and staff will move out of the area, taking thousands of dollars in consumer spending with them.
"It will absolutely have a major impact on Beckley." Taylor said.
Taylor said the best case scenario is for Mountain State to rebound and win the appeal process. But if that is not the case, store owner William Dixon hopes someone else moves in quickly to continue the growth in Uptown Beckley.
"I really hope the get someone in and the sooner the better, but not just for us, for the entire city of Beckley," Dixon said.
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